Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago.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

Highlights

April is just about here, and the Springtime snowpack is in full force. The snowpack is disappearing quickly below 4000 ft, but there is still plenty of snow at higher elevations.

A quick moving storm last Sunday (3/28) evening dropped anywhere from 2-6’’ of snow in the forecast zones. The storm on Sunday also carried dust from western Washington and the Palouse and was distributed across many areas in forecast zones. You may notice a reddish tint to the snow while out in the backcountry. Take note of this ‘dirty’ snow because it can make slopes warm up and start melting much faster than they normally would.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As temperatures warm up over the next couple days, I'd expect the avalanche danger to rise as well. The weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and warm (41 deg. F @ 6200') for the next 3 days. I'd expect to see wet avalanche activity over the next couple of days. 

    Tips to mitigate springtime avalanche concerns:

    1. Get out early while the snow surface is frozen. 

    2. Manage your aspect- South facing slopes heat up the most and will be the 1st aspect to show signs of instability.

    3. Higher elevations will stay cooler and may have a more supportive snowpack.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As the warming trend continues, the chance of larger slab avalanches increases. If the weather forecast happens as it's forecasted to over the next 3 days, it's possible to start seeing larger wet slab avalanches. I anticipate mother nature will give us some signs that we're approacing that threshhold. 

    Signs of wet snow instability:

    1. Pinwheels or rollerballs of snow coming down slopes.

    2. Unsupportive (punchy) snow

    3. Brown water in the creeks

Avalanche Discussion

Be sure to tune into the daily weather this week. I anticipate the warm temps  will produce prime avalanche conditions in the backcountry. Wet avalanches sometimes have a mind of their own. The avalanches will happen when the slope has warmed up so much that it can't support itself anymore.  With that said...sometimes involvement with these avalanches is more a case of a being in the wrong place at the wrong time problem rather then the avalanche being triggered by someone in your party. This means you need to have a heightened awareness about what terrain is above you. Terrain selection and travel choices will make all the difference. 

Thank you for reading the forecast today! The last avalanche forecast for the season is scheduled for April 9th. Enjoy the sunshine!!!

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