Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures and sunshine will be the main trigger of avalanches on Friday. The easiest way to avoid trouble is to stay off of steep terrain being cooked by the sun. Steep terrain exposed to sun will likely see "loose-wet" avalanches with potential to step down to deeper weak layers. The best snow and safest riding conditions will be found on shaded terrain with slope angles below 35 degrees. On Saturday cloud cover and cooler temperatures will cause a decrease in avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Yesterday we observed wet slides in steep terrain that was exposed to the sun. Activity seemed to increase around 1PM as the sun and temperatures reached its' peak. The temperatures did not drop as much last nite so you can expect this activity to pick up a little sooner on Friday. This problem is easy to manage though, stick to the northerly facing aspects were the riding is still pretty good and much safer. If you want to soak up some vitamin D just hang on the ridgelines and lower angle slopes. If you find yourself on or below steep terrain that is baking in the sun, it's time to relocate to a safe spot. Gullies will be another spot to avoid. Wet slides are often slow and harmless; but, deep gullies will entrain more snow and increase your odds of a burial.

    Wet slides in steep, south facing terrain Thursday.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    I'm lumping two problems here for brevitys' sake. Deep persistent weak layers and weak crystals closer to the surface are present across the area. They are getting pretty stubborn but still harbor some potential. The persistent weak layers in the snowpack are taking on some stress as warm temperatures and sun weaken the snowpack during the day. We haven't seen anything go deep since the weekend; however, the potential is still there above 5,000'. My biggest areas of concern Friday will again be those slopes in the sun. They are undergoing stress from both sun and wet slides today, a fair bit of potential exists for a step-down avalanche that could run far and wide. Graupel layers can be found area wide and facets are prevalent in the Purcells. 

Avalanche Discussion

Todays' rating of Considerable is assigned based on the size and distribution of avalanches today. The definition goes like this, "small avalanches in many areas or large avalanches in specific areas or very large avalanches in isolated areas." It is also defined by likelihood which is defined by "Human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible." Today I would say that both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely, the good news is that the problem is simple to manage and mostly related to the sun and terrain choices. Avoid being on or below steep terrain in the sun and you eliminate most of the issues. On north facing aspects you will still want to avoid terrain above 35 degrees, especially while the temps are above freezing. With colder temperatures and cloud cover rolling in this weekend the snowpack will stabilize, wet slides will cease at upper elevations and the persistent weak layers will be more difficult to trigger.

 

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