Selkirk Mountains

A relatively shallow and mainly stable snowpack exists. Unburied objects in the shallow snowpack are the main hazards. Isolated ridge top areas may see an increase in hazard if new snow amounts and winds are higher than expected.

Yesterday, Micah and Kyla reached the summit of Lunch Peak while I assessed conditions in the southern Selkirks. There have been no significant changes to the snowpack this week. It remains thin but supportable. The primary concern continues to be natural hazards, posing challenges to travel. At lower elevations, the receding snowpack is complicating access with snowmobiles.

A weak disturbance is anticipated this weekend, potentially bringing up to 2 inches of snow to the mountains. Beyond that, the extended forecast indicates a mix of clouds and sunshine. Winter has started on a challenging note across  western Montana and North Idaho, but it's important not to stow away your sleds and skis just yet—we remain hopeful. The strong El Niño weather pattern appears to have peaked and is expected to weaken, increasing the likelihood of colder, stormier weather locally.

Buried surface hoar can be found inIsolated areas, primarily above 5000 ft and near ridgelines. Currently, it is buried a few inches beneath the snow and does not pose a significant problem. However, if more snow covers it, it may become a concern. A recent 6-inch snowfall from last Friday to Saturday overlays a 1-3 inch rain crust from Wednesday 12/20, providing substantial support. The middle section of the snowpack consists of cohesive snow, while the lower 1/3 comprises an early December rain crust. The 12/20 rain crust near the surface is currently beneficial, aiding in burying vegetation and partially/mostly bridging the snowpack below. Nonetheless, the complexity of the current snowpack is heightened by elevational variations and uncertainties regarding the formation of the rain crust weak layer.