Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind blowing from the south combined with several inches of snowfall to build new wind slabs yesterday. Decreasing wind and another 2-4” of snow through tonight may add to these new slabs but could also mask the wind textured snow and other obvious signs of wind transport. Carefully evaluate steep slopes near and above treeline where you’re most likely to trigger a wind slab avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Areas of new wind slab that you are likely to trigger formed with yesterday’s moderate to strong southerly winds and 3-5” of new snow. Remember that wind transport and deposition can easily multiply accumulations by a factor of four or more. These wind slabs may vary from soft, subtle, and relatively small near treeline to firmer and larger wind slabs above treeline. These larger, firmer slabs may be more stubborn but could produce larger avalanches.

    Following almost 20 hours of moderate or stronger southerly wind, speeds have been steadily decreasing since yesterday afternoon as periods of snowfall continue. Watch and feel for signs of our recently formed wind slabs, like cracking under your skis, feet, or machine, and consider that snow today may mask yesterday’s more obviously wind affected surface snow.

Avalanche Discussion

Our current avalanche problems seem generally confined to new snow instabilities in the upper snowpack. The several feet of snow we’ve received in the past few weeks has bonded well with one potential exception around a thin, buried ice crust formed approximately 12/23. We’re seeing some early facets near this crust, and while stability tests aren’t indicating propagation potential, it’s a layer we will continue to watch. Please submit an observation if you have any stability test results on this layer, or of whatever you see as you’re playing in our mountains. There’s plenty of good, soft snow to enjoy near and below treeline in less wind affected areas!

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