Lawinenlagebericht

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Diverse snowpack conditions are present at various elevations. Avalanche problems can vary depending on your location while traveling the mountains today. Continuously monitor the snowpack beneath your travels and reevaluate it frequently. thoughtful route-finding and identifying areas of concern will guide you away from potential avalanche hazards.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Slow but steady snowfall this week is adding up. Recent snow and earlier storm layers, top 2 ft of snowpack, instabilities may be found on steeper slopes or convexities. Testing small slopes for shooting cracks can show helpful signs, but a absence of (lack there of) cracking does not give any helpful evidence. Digging into the snowpack may provide signs on layers and bonding. Currently, good riding can be found in a lot of terrain outside of 30 +degree slopes where storm slabs are possibly found.

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–2

    It has recently been and will continue intermittently raining in the lower elevation bands, roughly near and below 4500 feet. The rain/snow line is forecasted to rise in elevation, wet loose will become a wider problem. Look for water saturated snow surfaces and  roller balls. While wet loose slides will likely be small, they may still be consequential on steep slopes or terrain traps.

Avalanche Discussion

January has brought about significant weather fluctuations. At the onset of the month, our eagerly awaited new snowfall materialized, with up to 3 feet of cold, light snow blanketing the Selkirks and Cabinet Mountains. Following this, starting on January 10th, a historic drop in temperature occurred as the polar vortex unleashed a week-long blast of frigid air. The Panhandle experienced sustained temperatures in the -20s and -30s in certain areas. However, by January 18th, rain began, and by January 20th, ambient air temperatures rebounded into the mid to upper 30s. The past week has been unseasonably warm and wet, with upper elevations accumulating 2-8 inches of snow, while mountains under 5000 feet received rain.

Weather models predict the continuation of warm and wet conditions into the next week, with forecasted air temperatures in the mid-40s and a persistent chance of on-and-off rain. For snow enthusiasts, a glimmer of hope for February exists, as long-term projections suggest a likelihood of colder and wetter-than-average weather in early to mid-February. NOAA discusses the possibility of another Arctic blast affecting the continental U.S., though its impact on the Idaho Panhandle remains uncertain.

Understanding the seasonal weather context is crucial when assessing the snowpack. Weather significantly influences the snowpack, contributing to its strengths and weaknesses. A shallow snowpack may struggle to adapt to substantial temperature fluctuations. Currently, the snowpack is unusually variable, resulting in different avalanche concerns in various locations. At lower elevations, the avalanche issue is a Loose-wet problem. The rain has saturated the snowpack, and warm temperatures hinder its refreezing, creating soft, unconsolidated snow with limited support.

At higher elevations, colder temperatures, stronger winds, and a mix of rain and snow have been observed. While widespread layers of concern are not prevalent, pockets of wind-slabs near ridgelines, buried persistent weak layers around treeline, and storm-slab concerns above 6000 feet are noted.

In these conditions, travel advice includes frequently checking snowpack conditions and reassessing whats under your feet or snowmobile. While dangerous avalanche conditions exist in some areas, they are not universal. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are crucial to avoiding avalanche-related risks today. Stay dry and safe

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