Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Stubborn wind slabs remaining from last weekend's storm will be your primary avalanche concern today at treeline and above. Use caution near wind loaded terrain features such as ridgelines, steep rollovers and chutes. With substantial snow and increased winds predicted today it is likely the avalanche danger will rise by this evening and into tomorrow. Stay alert to changing conditions this afternoon and be prepared to play a more conservative game on Wednesday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The last storm came in with heavy snow and strong southwest winds. The effects of the wind are very obvious in the high country right now. Stiff and stubborn wind slabs are lingering in all the usual locations near ridgelines and in open terrain. They will likely be stubborn to triggering but may pack a serious punch if you manage to touch one off. The next 24 hours will see more snow and wind. We can expect to see a new batch of thinner but more reactive wind slabs develop on a pretty firm surface at upper elevations in open terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Last weekend's storm brought us a substantial walloping of moisture. The new snowfall has settled quickly and was showing a low likelihood of producing avalanches; but, there are a few interfaces within the new snow that are coming together still. With more predicted snowfall coming it is likely you will see some thin and reactive storm slabs building by Tuesday afternoon. Take the time to dig into the new snow and assess each slope before committing to steep terrain today.

Avalanche Discussion

Mondays observations began with me not observing I had left a key on in the machine. Which, resulted in a dead battery and some extra windshield time. We also viewed multiple avalanche crowns from the last storm and a snowpack that has settled quickly with a few interfaces and density changes that are quickly coming together. Again, my biggest concern would be some of those wind affected terrain features at the upper elevations. If you are riding in steep and open terrain today pay attention to the snowpack surface and avoid launching off cornices onto steep slopes. If that's your thing!

Our predicted weather is what we really need to keep in the forefront of our minds right now. The National Weather Service is predicting  some substantial snowfall and increasing southwest winds Tuesday through Tuesday night. It sounds like the majority of this moisture will focus on the Cabinets tonight. We have a variety of surfaces out there for this new snow to land on and it is very likely thin and reactive slabs will form. There is a substantial crust layer in the Cabinets below 5,000' (2-3" thick) and we observed surface hoar growing on all aspects yesterday up to 6,000'. Above 6,000' much of the snowpack surface has been compacted by the winds. These surfaces will provide us with a very slick layer and poor bonding for the next round of snow. Lastly, we are predicted to see that rain line creep up the hill to 7,000' on Wednesday. Rising temperatures and rainfall are a double whammy for snow stability. I anticipate that loose wet avalanches and wet slabs will be a problem as the rain adds weight and weakens the upper snowpack. Wednesday may be a good day to not go into the backcountry!

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