Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temperatures today will cause loose-wet avalanches in steep terrain today and weaken wind slabs formed earlier in the week at upper elevations. These avalanches will generally be small in size, pay attention to the consequences of taking a small ride today and choose your terrain accordingly. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Weather stations across the zone recorded temperatures well above freezing through the night and the freezing mark is predicted to hover around 6,500' today with partly cloudy skies. It is likely you will see small, wet-loose avalanches releasing naturally on all aspects in steep terrain today. Avalanches may not be big enough to bury you, but it is a good day to think about consequences and what is below you when choosing terrain. Steep slopes above cliffs or terrain traps can amplify consequences and burial depth. This danger will decrease on Saturday as temperatures cool back down.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs formed earlier in the week under south to southeast winds. Though they have gained strength and become more resistant to triggering the past few days, it is likely they will weaken today with warm temperatures. I would avoid wind located locations today in steep and consequential terrain on north and westerly aspects that were previously loaded.

Avalanche Discussion

This week observations were taken in the Stevens/Willow area on Monday and Rabbit Gulch on Thursday. On Monday we found evidence of wind loading and fairly reactive wind slabs on north and westerly aspects, but an otherwise stable snowpack. Thursday Kyla and Issy performed stability tests on a thinner and southerly facing snowpack. No concerning result's were found but there were some failure's in the snowpack on the crust layer. My big concern for the day is the warm temperature's. The St. Regis/Silver Valley zone recorded far less moisture that the other two zones; however, the warm temps will loosen up the surface of the snowpack and cause it to weaken. The result will be small wet slides below 6,500' today and a potentially higher likelihood of cornice and wind slab failures at upper elevations. Stay safe today be playing the terrain wisely and wait for it to cool off before venturing into steep and consequential terrain.

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