Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Heavy snowfall and strong winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions at tree line and above on Wednesday. Human triggered avalanches are very likely in steep terrain today. Avoid travelling in or below terrain steeper than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    A winter storm rolled in Monday night with heavy snowfall and southwest to westerly winds over 30 mph and gusts into the 50's. Storm totals at Bear Mountain were up to 23 inches this morning with over 3 inches of water equivalent, while Poorman Snotel recieved 16 inches, as of Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts favored the West and East Cabinets with 9 inches falling in the Purcell Range. This weather event has left us with cohesive slabs of storm snow and wind slabs that will be easily triggered in steep terrain, particularly in wind loaded locations near ridgelines. Today is a "no-brainer" when making terrain choices. If you want to stay out of trouble, simply avoid travelling in or below steep and open slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

Wednesday we will see a decrease in snowfall and wind, but there will be more on the way. An additional 6-12 inches of snow is predicted ahead of an approaching cold front on Thursday in the East and West Cabinets. This cold front will bring bitter temperatures and a shift in wind patterns. With winds blowing out of the north and east on Thursday through the weekend we will see some very harsh and raw conditions in the backcountry. With abundant soft snow on the ground out there and a shift in wind patterns we can also expect to see new slabs forming in locations that may surprise you.

Prior to this storm our snowpack has been thin and relatively stable with layers that have potential, but lack a significant slab or loading to cause an avalanche concern. That is all changing as we add a cohesive load of new snow to the recipe. The most significant avalanche danger will be found at elevations above 5,500' today. Elevations below that will remain somewhat anchored by vegetation as the snowpack is very thin below 5,500'. The exception to this will be terrain in the East Cabinets where there is potential for larger avalanches to run out into terrain at lower elevations. 

Over the past month I have been doing most of my snowpack observations in the West and East Cabinets while avoiding the Purcell's due to the lack of snow. If you decide to venture into the Purcell's it is important to keep in mind that the thin snowpack also harbors multiple weak layers that were not a concern until now as we add a slab on top of this weak structure. These layers will likely remain a concern for weeks to come. The Purcell snowpack also has a much thinner base so you can expect to hit lots of buried obstacles if you decide to travel into that corner of the world.

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