Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Our snowpack is again becoming mostly stable with a few pockets of wind slab that should keep you on your toes. Remember that cliffs, rocks, gullies, and other terrain traps can result in big consequences from small avalanches. “Low” does not mean “No” avalanche danger and it’s worth continuing your good practices like traveling one at a time, from safe zone to safe zone, as you enjoy the mild weather and mostly good riding and sliding conditions!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Lingering wind slabs that are unlikely but not impossible for you to trigger may be found on the lee side of exposed terrain above treeline. These small wind slabs formed since last Thursday with westerly wind and have become increasingly stable. Continued light to moderate wind blowing from the western half of the compass rose over the weekend and yesterday might have transported a little more snow to build additional small wind slabs. Watch for unstable snow in the isolated areas that you’re able to find more than 6” of drifted snow above the January 12th rain crust.

Avalanche Discussion

Our current snowpack exhibits several layers of interest, but not necessarily layers of concern, and seems mostly stable. The January 12th rain crust that you might tire of hearing about is still prominent. Weak snow continues to be observed just below the crust, but with some strength added by the crust itself and the minimal slab above it, it’s not much of a concern at the present time. We’ll be more concerned when a new snow load is added, especially if weak layers develop above the crust. The current soft, shallow powder conditions are making for good riding except for some southerly terrain which developed a sun crust over the weekend.

Thanks for the snowpack observations over the weekend, please keep them coming! We’re particularly curious about the recently formed surface hoar and if additional surface hoar growth and other potential future weak layers develop in our surface snow from the clear, cold nights this week.

Friends of IPAC has a bunch of avalanche and safety courses coming up, find more information and view the schedule here. There’s something for everyone, from excellent Level 1 Refresher courses to a Level 2 and also Wilderness First Aid that’s tailored to winter backcountry users.

Backcountry users between 14 and 24 years of age can apply for a Level 1 Avalanche Course scholarship via the Doug Abromeit Scholarship, deadline February 13th, 2022!

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