Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Erratic winds continue to contribute to the wind slab problem near and above treeline, especially below open ridges above 4500'.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully in high elevation, wind effected, steep angle terrain. Sheltered, low-angle terrain near treeline make for the best snow conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    So much low density powder to be found out there! In areas where it hasn't been blown into a cohesive slab, it may "sluff" easily down the hill in steep terrain. In many areas the new snow is resting on a crust layer and flows easily down the hill when traversed with skis. Not as dangerous as a slab avalanche, but take a look at the potential consequences of getting caught in a small avalanche before dropping into steep terrain

    Giggles and wiggles!

    Izzy enjoying some Dry-loose snow conditions

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With a little over a foot of new soft snow, shifting winds and wind gusts reaching the 60 mph mark in the Silver Valley on Sunday, we have all the ingredients for wind slabs on all sides of the compass. Triggering these slabs will remain possible today near and above treeline. Be aware of density changes underfoot and visual signs of wind effected snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

On Monday, Brian and Izzy toured up Burke canyon towards Tiger Peak. It was a beautiful bluebird powder day!  With the recent storm that started last thursday delivering just over a foot of snow in the Silver Valley, mother nature also hit us with wind from a variety directions,  gusting strong out of the SW- W, then transitioning to strong N-NE winds. Because of this, you can see some degree of wind effect on all aspects around treeline and above. Very firm wind slabs can be found in open above treeline terrain.   It's important to evaluate the terrain carefully below ridgelines on all aspects of the compass. Brian and Izzy observed cracking underfoot when they stepped out onto a open slope at higher elevation. They also observed the new snow to be very light and soft in sheltered terrain. Sticking to low angle sheltered terrain is your best bet to avoid wind slabs and firm wind affected snow.

 The recent snow fell on somewhat of a complex upper snowpack, consisting of a variety of crusts with faceting above and below. Now is a good time to take a moment to dig down in the snow to evaluate how this new snow is bonding or not bonding to these weak layers.  Brian and Izzy didn't get any failures resulting in propagation out of their extended column test, but did have failures occuring with easy force within the new storm snow in both column tests they performed. If you do get out there, please take a moment to share your observations with us- even some basic information can help us out! 

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