Avalanche forecast

Selkirk 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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Fresh wind slabs should be expected on all aspects near and above tree line. Strong winds over the past week have transported a lot of snow. Winds have been primarily out of the North and Southwest but there’s evidence of wind deposit on all aspects. Be aware of recent reverse loading and cross loading. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    There are weak interfaces and buried facet layers in the portion of the snowpack. These layers look different in different places, but are there and need to be concidered. For the most part, the weak layers are showing resistance to failure. As the winter moves on these layers could wake up and become more likely to avalanche. For now, know they're there and continue to test their strength as part of your dissision making.

    Facets growing on the bottom of a rain crust 40cm down in the snowpack

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent winds have transported  a lot of snow this week. Cold temperatures have kept the snow on the surface light and susceptable to transport. Winds were primarily out of the North then shifted to the Southwest over the past 2 days. Wind loading can be found on all aspects near and above tree line.  Wind slabs can be triggered in weak spots such as, thin spots near the edges of the slab, near rocks or just below ridges.

    Wind slab formation in the Tressle creek burn area. If you look close you can see  upslope loading and cross loading.

Avalanche Discussion

This has been an interesting week for weather. We started off with the prolonged cold spell coming to an end. While here, it produced strong arctic winds out of the North which transported a lot of snow. Yesterday, we saw a shift in wind from the Southwest and a slight warm up in temperature.

The upper portion of the snowpack is made up of wind deposited snow in varying thicknesses and densities. The wind slab is sitting on top of the thick rain crust that formed in early January. For the most part, the wind slab is adhering to the rain crust well. The possibility of an avalanche propagating and sliding on the crust remains a concern, especially on open, steep slopes near ridge lines.

The lower portion of the snowpack continues to be a good base. The snow beneath the rain crust continuing down to the ground is firm and bonded. There are a couple buried faceted interfaces within the strong layers that could be problematic later this winter, but they are currently showing resistance to failure.

Travel advice- Watch out for shallow areas near rocks or just below ridges can be likely areas to trigger wind slabs. If you can manage the wind slab problem then you’re probably looking at a good day. 

**REMINDER** IPAC still has spots open Wilderness First Aid for Winter Backcountry Users and Avalanche Level 2 classes. These are great opportunities to improve your skills with knowledgeable local instructors. Check them out here!

March 11-13- Wilderness First Aid for Winter Basckcountry users- $300.00   

March 25-27- Avalanche Level 2- $500.00  Schweitzer 

 

 

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