Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

New snow and rain have created dangerous avalanche conditions across the zone. The Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains have received 1-2 feet of snow over the past 48 hours. Subsequent precipitation is expected to arrive as rain today. The storm slab is turning into wet slabs and has shown signs of easy failure.  Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely and could be large. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    We have seen large amounts of moisture in the form of rain and snow introduced into the snowpack over a short period of time. Over the past 48 hours Bear Mountain in the Cabinets and Schweitzer have seen over 4'' of SWE and 20'' of snow. That's a large amount of weight to be introduced in a short amount of time. Yesterday there were many slab avalanches observed and reported througout the backcountry.  As the rain continues the avalanche danger will continue to rise. Large wet slab avalanches are likely today across  the 3 forecast zones. Travel is not recommended in avalanche terrain.

    Windloading on a Northface near treeline. It wasn't a great day for pics!

Avalanche Discussion

After a prolonged dry spell, rain and snow have moved back into North Idaho. This storm is being described as an atmospheric river and is producing large amounts of precipitation across the Pacific Northwest. Over the past 48 hours, the storm has dropped 1-2 feet (more in wind loaded areas) of snow on the higher elevations. The rain/snow line has been around 3000-4000 feet thus far but is forecasted to rise to 6000-7000 feet as temperatures continue to warm throughout the day. The precipitation is expected to continue into the weekend.

This weather is causing big changes in the snowpack. Currently, the biggest concern is the new storm slab. Yesterday, there was a lot of new snow found on all aspects, but significantly more on the Northeast-Northwest aspects thanks to the strong southwest winds transporting the snow. New sensitive wind slabs can be found above tree line, near ridge lines, and on windward slopes.

It was good to get out yesterday to get a feel for how tender the snowpack is. I anticipate the primary concern with the snowpack will change today as temperatures rise and rain soaks into the new snow. Rain on top of snow is going to add significant weight to the snowpack. This added weight can result in a lot of stress to lower layers in the snowpack. Warer percolating through the snowpack may also decrease the strength of the buried weak layers. Combined, these will significantly increase the concern of triggering deep instabilities which could result in larger and deeper avalanches.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely and maybe very large.

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