Avalanche forecast

Selkirk 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

Warm temperatures will continue today. There was a period of freezing temperatures overnight...but not a hard freeze. Pay attention as the snow softens. Keep an eye out for roller balls, pinwheels and collapsing snow. Based on my tour yesterday, it's good to get the goods early and retreat before it gets sticky and punchy.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm temperatures will lead to more wet loose avalanches. Clear skies allowed for the surface of the snow to refreeze but weather forecasts are showing sunshine and warm temps for today so I'd expect the melt to start as soon as the sun hits the slopes.

    At lower elevations the snow is disapearing quick. I'd expect the lower elevation snow to become unsuportable rapidly. Be ready to posthole after 10AM or so...

     

    Ski tracks across the 3'' of fresh snow from 2 days ago. It got really sticky by noon.

  • Cornices

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

    As the air temperatures warm, the cornices will become weaker. This is the time of year we start to see cornice fall. Cornices are really big right now.  Be extra careful around them and don't be tempted to get to close. 

    Watch for cornice break

Avalanche Discussion

A few small wind slabs were observed at upper elevations on sun protected aspects. 4-6'' of snow fell on Sunday evening causing a period of instability. The wind slab problem will quickly change as the sun hits it adhears to the snow underneath. 

There are big differences on N and S slopes at high elevations right now. North slopes are still holding cold snow and could resemble a more winter-like snowpack.  South slopes are feeling like spring conditions. 

 

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