Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Snowpack conditions are currently stable; however, be alert to the potential presence of small wind slabs forming in steep terrain at upper elevations today. New snow combined with gusty winds out of the southwest may create small pockets of wind slab that build as the day progresses.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Over the last 24 hours the Kootenai has received 1-3" of fresh snow under the presences of light southwest winds with gusts into the teens. Another 1-2" of snow is predicted today and gusty southwest winds present in the mountains. Not a real impressive storm, but the new snow will transport easily and may form small pockets of wind slab that build through the day. The new snow is also resting on a variety of sun and wind crusts that will provide a slick bed surface. I would be most concerned about wind slabs above tree line, in terrain steeper than 35 degrees on north and east aspects. If you trigger a small wind slab the concern would be losing control and going for a ride through rocks and trees. Getting buried today is unlikely.

Avalanche Discussion

On Thursday, Mike Manion and I toured into the East Cabinets. Conditions were mostly firm, with a little bit of soft snow still in shaded locations. Most surfaces had either sun crust or wind crust present that softened up enough to make decent turns in the afternoon. We observed older evidence of all the classic spring avalanche problems. The debris from numerous wet loose avalanches was present; however, nothing released yesterday. With multiple freeze-thaw cycles behind us the snowpack surface was quite bomber and slow to soften up. Many glide cracks can be seen on all aspects where the snowpack is resting on bedrock or grassy surfaces (see photo below). Glide cracks are unpredictable and there is no way to know when they could fail, don't hang out underneath of them on warm or sunny days and you won't be bothered.

Today the "classic" spring avalanche problems won't be a threat. Temperatures will stay below the freezing mark; cloud cover will keep the slopes shaded and the stable snowpack will be locked together. The primary concern out there will be the new snow and wind. Any slabs that build will be resting on a firm surface and may become reactive as they gain cohesion and thickness. Steep and consequential terrain on leeward aspects should be given a hard look today before committing.

Our last "Avalanche Advisory" for the season will be posted on April 1st!

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