Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Improving snow conditions and increasing stability are present in the Kootenai.  Widespread weak layers now buried several feet deep are mostly dormant. Steep chutes and slopes below ridgelines that were previously loaded by south and west winds should be treated with caution.  Look for planar slopes and supported terrain for the safest traveling and riding.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Wind slabs formed by our last storm cycle are transitioning to a persistent slab problem.  Steep chutes and areas below ridgelines, on north through east facing aspects, above 5500’ were loaded with a significant amount of snow during the last storm cycle and have potential to harbor dense and stubborn slabs.  While this problem is more likely to be found in the steeper terrain in the East Cabinets caution is warranted throughout the zone near these types of features as triggering a dense slab large enough to injure or bury person remains possible.  Variability still exists within the zone and triggering an avalanche on deeply buried weak layers, while not likely, could have a catastrophic outcome.  Evaluate individual slopes before committing to high consequence terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

In stark contrast to conditions earlier in the week, the snow for the most part settling and well bonded.  A thin sun crust is present on southerly aspects and surface hoar will continue to form on the surface under cold clear skies.  Keep these in mind if we should bury this surface with new snow this weekend.

It is March and solar input is gaining daily.  As a result, at lower elevations and on solar aspects we may see small loose wet and point release slides as the surface snow warms under incoming solar radiation.  While not likely to be large enough to bury or injure a person the hazard is increased near cliffs and rock bands. Keep a look out and be mindful of the warming surface snow.  Dry and well-preserved snow on shaded Northerly aspects still hosts high quality riding right now. 

The end of February and first few days of March produced a widespread storm cycle that added significantly to our overall snow totals and Snow Water Equivalent around the region.  Consequently, this also added a lot of stress to the snowpack.  In the first six days of March there have been three avalanche related fatalities in the Northwest.  Each one of these accidents involves a loved one, a friend, family member, and a member of our backcountry community.  They leave giant holes in the lives of those who knew them.  Today we will be welcomed into the mountains by sunshine, mostly clear skies, and a healing snowpack.  Please get out and enjoy it, and maybe, take a minute to reflect on the why we love to recreate in the mountains and realize the abundance of opportunities the future holds if we play the cards right today.

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