Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Snow showers Saturday delivered up to 2 inches across mid and upper elevations, with potentially deeper drifting above the treeline. Skies cleared overnight and temperatures plummeted to the coldest readings in the last many days. This should slow down the reemergence of wet hazards, and may keep them in the barn above 6,000 feet. Sunny or wind-sheltered slopes may soften faster than areas near ridges, so monitor how wet and punchy surfaces get to use as a guide of where to steer clear of.

**Today is the last regular avalanche forecast with danger ratings for the 2024-25 season. We will issue General Snowpack Updates by Noon on Tuesday and Friday through April 30.**

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Warm temperatures over the past week have kept the upper two feet of the snowpack loose and wet. Fortunately, overnight temperatures have been just cool enough, combined with a light breeze and mostly clear skies, to refreeze the top few inches of the snowpack. The higher you go in elevation, the thicker this melt-freeze crust tends to be. Now that overnight temperatures charged down into the upper teens to low-20s Saturday night, the snowpack likely locked up nicely. This refreeze is important because it directly influences how fast, if at all, Loose Wet avalanche hazards develop.

    If you encounter a wet and punchy snow surface , step off your board or machine to see how deep you post-hole. If you sink more than 6 or 8 inches into rotten snow, consider dialing back your slope angle or retreating to colder, shadier slopes or those higher in elevation. Steep, rocky areas, places directly below cliffs, or slopes with lots of vegetation poking through may soften faster and carry slightly higher odds to trigger a more cohesive slab of wet snow. Small avalanches in complex or extreme terrain, and in terrain traps like steep gullies or creek bottoms can still yield a bad outcome.

    (4/11/2025)

    Sunny or wind-sheltered slopes may soften faster than areas near ridges, so monitor how wet and punchy surfaces get to use as a guide of where to steer clear of. Numerous rollerballs could trigger a small wet snow slide. Selkirk Mountains. April 11, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

Avalanche Discussion

The couple inches of new snow that accumulated Saturday was around 20% density based on temperature profiles at remote weather stations. The dense new snow will likely bond well to the old, harder surface below but drifts closer to 6 inches deep may be more reactive. These more concerning drifts are likely confined to start zones beneath ridges and on steep sidewalls of gullies. Fresh cornice growth or pillowy surfaces are good indicators which slopes saw more drifting than others. As you descend further away from ridgelines and near to or below the treeline, new snow depths are expected to diminish and so do the hazards associated with freshly drifted slabs.

Anytime we have fresh snow and sunny skies in the spring, we need to be thinking about the new snow naturally shedding from steeper terrain or what the potential is to push wet snow down the slope. Last night's solid snowpack refreeze should significantly reduce the chances of wet snow sluffs to entrain more snow as they move along. Rollerballs are indicators surfaces are getting wet and soft, and where you see them in higher density, they could provoke a small Loose Wet avalanche. Surface warming will likely be confined to slopes facing east through south to west, but sheltered areas with a slightly more northerly tilt around 5,000 feet and lower may react differently to the upcoming warming trend than those same aspects higher in elevation.

Springtime offers longer days, generally warmer temperatures, and the promise of great spring powder or corn snow. It also still warrants good decision-making and planning. Timing is everything in the spring. Start early and end early, while striving for recreation higher in elevation to maximize the safest window of travel.

As always, go into the day with a solid plan and backup strategy. Flexibility is key as snowpack conditions can change quickly. Keep objectives realistic, monitor for fluctuating weather and snow conditions, and be willing to adjust your route or final objective if things don’t line up. With thoughtful timing and awareness, spring can offer some of the season’s best and safest snowmobiling and riding. On Friday, the forecast staff witnessed a group of two snowmobiling and snowboarding in avalanche terrain with NO avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, or probe) and descending steep terrain solo, and without eyes on each other. Proper backcountry protocol is still prudent to not only your group, but others recreating around you - even during spring conditions. PERIOD.

**Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users. The survey will help us learn more about who is purchasing, and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education—and why some riders are not. The survey is confidential and anonymous. Your feedback is invaluable to improve avalanche education and awareness across North Idaho and Northwestern Montana. Please take a moment to share your experience and help your local avalanche community. You can take the survey HERE.**

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