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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

It is still in the single digits in the mountains this morning and that is preserving weak layers we have with wind slabs that formed last weekend.  New snow got blown by fierce north winds on Saturday forming wind slabs on ridgelines and above treeline.  Be careful anywhere you encounter firm snow on steep terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The weather has not changed all that much in the last couple days but that brutal wind has abated some.  It left us with some very hard surfaces and some areas with deep wind deposited snow.  The main problem was the strong NE winds on Friday and Saturday and this set up the scenario that lingers today.  You could encounter touchy wind scoured slabs and firm wind deposited slabs at the higher elevations today.  Be cautious if approaching from below.  If you're dropping in you may cross a touchy windslab as well.  The best snow is below the ridgelines.  You just have to be careful in getting to it.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    The very cold temperatures are creating some cold smoke snow conditions out there.  On steep terrain you are likely to trigger some loose sloughs.  This is not as dangerous as triggering a slab but you can get caught up in the flowing snow and pushed around.  Look at the consequences of this and decide how you are going to ride the terrain, or not.  This is called slough management.  If you anticipate triggering a loose slough then you have to react to getting out of the way.  You can also trigger a slough on your partner if you are above.  Play nice out there.

Avalanche Discussion

Cold clear nights have brought on a new crop of surface hoar.  It looks like our next chance to bury it will be Thursday or Friday.  Great sliding out there with about 6-10 inches of cold snow over the Lucky Friday crust.  You will find the best conditions in the trees on any aspect or on south and west aspects below ridgelines that didn't get hammered by the NE winds.  We are beginning to fall behind on building our snowpack due to the dry conditions.   January tends to be a productive month for snowfall but it was not a big producer this year.  As a result Snotel sites in the Selkirks are below 100 percent with Hidden Lake at 79 and Schweitzer at 94.  In the West Cabinets we are looking at a dismal 69 percent.  Winter is not over yet, pray for snow.   Don't forget about the Doug Abromeit Avalanche Scholarship.  Win a free avalanche class.  Details on the Education page on this website.

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