Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

A storm is currently bringing heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds to the mountains across the forecast area. Dense slabs of snow will form on top of recently developed crust layers resulting in reactive conditions through Friday. Travel in or below steep and mountainous terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    On Tuesday night the latest storm has rolled into the area and is forecast to bring heavy mountain snow and strong winds through Thursday evening. This storm came in cold with lighter density snow and will transition to a warmer pattern with snow densities predicted to increase as the storm progresses. This will leave us with an "upside-down" snowpack and create very dangerous avalanche conditions in the coming days. Storm slabs will be easily triggered by humans on Wednesday through Friday with east and northerly aspects being the most dangerous locations as wind loading will create deeper slabs on those aspects.

    Human triggered avalanches are very likely in terrain steeper than 30 degrees. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    With the recent storms we have buried weak layers within the snowpack that consist of melt-freeze crusts and buried surface hoar that may set the stage for larger avalanches to be produced as this most recent storm creates a cohesive slab overlying these weak layers. The potential for avalanches that are triggered in the new storm snow layer could easily step down to a deeper weak layer and produce large and destructive avalanches.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Temperatures are rising with rain forecast below 4,500' in elevation. The potential for "wet-loose" snow avalanches will be likely below tree line today. There is plenty of loose snow to entrain a rider out there so don't ignore what can often be viewed as a benign hazard today. There is enough surface snow to bury you right now if caught in one of these slides.

Avalanche Discussion

In times of High avalanche danger, I prefer to keep the messaging short and to the point. Snow is going to move in the mountains today, avalanches will occur naturally in steep terrain and human triggered avalanches are very likely. We strongly advise that you avoid being in or below any terrain steeper than 30 degrees. It looks like we are going to see heavy rainfall throughout the day below 4,500' in elevation. Loose wet avalanches are being added to today's problem list at lower elevation bands.

A quick look at any of the snotel sites in the mountains reveal some pretty obvious issues. Bear Mountain and Schweitzer picked up 3" of snow water equivalent in the last 24 hours (as of Thursday morning). The temperatures are rising as well, so the recipe for avalanches is all there. Rapid heavy loading + strong winds + rising temperatures = avalanches. It's really a no-brainer right now so keep it mellow out there and wait for things to settle before venturing into the backcountry.

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