Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot 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

The avalanche danger is most likely going to increase today as a quick moving storm is forecasted to produce heavy snow across the zone. The avalanche danger today could range from loose to storm slab.Your best bet today is to pay attention to wind loading, steering clear of freshly loaded slopes and stick to lower angle lines as the snow builds up.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

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

    Loose snow avalanche conditions, by definition, are formed by little cohesion among the snow crystals. In layman's terms, the snow doesn’t stick together (bond). I’d expect to see light fluffy powder conditions today. Look for areas of wind loading, and give those areas a wide berth today. There should be plenty of opportunity to both find adequate powder skiing and mitigate the avalanche danger today.Also, be aware of the possibility of snow immersion today. Keep a close eye on the others in your party and stay away from tree wells, especially if you’re on skis or a snowboard.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The persistant weak layer, in the bottom third of the snowpack, is still a layer of concern. Test results continue to showed more resistance to failure, but the layer still has the capability of failing and propagating across a slope. it has become harder to trigger and more isolated because of how deep it is in the snowpack. Steep, open slopes above treeline are the most likely places to trigger an avalanche on this layer. This layer is starting to go dormant, but we're not quite ready to turn a blind eye on it. Keep this layer in your brain when planning your day.

     

Avalanche Discussion

It’s not often that we see a cold snowstorm forecasted to produce heavy snow, but that’s what it looks like we have with the snow storm arriving this morning. Weather forecasts are calling for 20+ inches ofsnow across the Silver Valley. A Southwest wind is expected to be mild throughout the day, picking up in the afternoon. Gusts as high as 40 mph are expected before the winds shift tonight. After this storm moves through the zone, it’ll be quickly replaced with colder temperatures and winds out of the north. They weren’t kidding when they said “Get ready for another La Niña.” So far our winter here in the Panhandle has been colder and drier (no rain) than normal. Currently, our snowpack looks more like a snowpack you’d see in the Tetons or the Wasatch. We’re supposed to be more maritime than this?! I’lltake it while it lasts, because we all know the other shoe will drop at some point, and it’ll probably be a rude awakening. So, enjoy the powder while it lasts! I’d expect loose snow to dominate the surface ofthe snowpack for the next 5-7 days, before we see significant changes. Loose snow avalanches are a problem to be managed, but something to really pay attention to is the point at which the loose snowtransitions into a slab, otherwise known as “the tipping point.” The tipping point will be important because that’s when new snow turns into one cohesive piece, capable of producing slab avalanches.That’s about the time we start to see and feel cracking, whoomphing and settling. With that said, IPAC’s new OBSERVATION PLATFORM is up and running on the website! This is a greatnew feature. Please check it out and let us know what you see out there. Thank you, Mike Brede, an IPAC Board Member, for making it happen!

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