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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Skier and rider triggered sluffing on steep slopes will transition to a wet loose problem as the snowpack receives solar radiation today and temperatures rise at mid and upper elevations. When you begin to see signs of rapidly warming snow, like roller balls that grow in size, snow that sticks to skis and skins, and deep boot penetration, it’s time to move away from steep slopes towards more shaded north aspects or the trailhead. Above tree line, wind slabs on the lee side of ridges may still be reactive enough to take a skier or rider for a long ride. Approach wind loaded start zones with caution and investigate before committing to consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Incremental snowfall from the past several days and steady winds have contributed to growth of above treeline wind slabs that although stubborn still warrant attention. These will be the deepest on northwest to north through southeast facing slopes directly below the leeward side of ridgelines. Convex roll overs and loaded gullies will also harbor larger slabs of new snow. Expect slabs to be the most sensitive and easiest to trigger on slopes where the underlying surface is a firm and refrozen crust. Due to how slick the old snow surface is, avalanches have the ability to run farther and entrain more snow as they travel down the slope. Cracking within the new snow and a textured surface or density change underfoot all indicate that these consolidated wind slabs may be present. Pay attention to the feedback the snow surface is giving you and seek more sheltered terrain for the safest riding.

     

    (3/28/2025)

    Ski pressure on steeper slopes easily sheeted the new snow above the old, refrozen but breakable crusts. These were fairly predicatable and easy to manage, but traveled quick down the slope. Selkirk Mountains. March 28, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

  • Loose Wet

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

    Today marks a transition when managing the changing avalanche hazard influenced by the daily freeze/melt cycle becomes increasingly important. Eight to twelve inches of soft snow from the past several days is now resting on a stout crust. This morning you may see dry loose sluffing on steep slopes, but the nature of the problem will likely change by this afternoon when direct solar radiation warms and wets the upper snowpack. Small wet loose avalanches may run long distances and entrain more snow than expected as they run on the underlying crust bed surface. Going into the weekend, snow that is locked up by below freezing overnight lows will become soft and loose cohesion as temperatures warm throughout the day, especially on solar aspects.

    A key part of mitigating your avalanche risk during the Spring diurnal feeze/melt cycle is planning your day so that you can avoid being on steep, avalanche prone, terrain when solar input and instability in the warming snowpack is elevated. This means be prepared to exit the mountains or move to more shaded north aspects when you start to see signs of surface instability like tree bombs, roller balls, deep boot penetration and snow sticking to skis or skins.

    Photo: Mikey Church

Avalanche Discussion

With the arrival of warm sunny conditions today through the weekend we enter a classic Spring diurnal freeze/melt cycle. The midweek mountain snowfall added a welcomed soft layer on top of an and otherwise thick supportable crust on all aspects above and near treeline. Avalanche hazards today are confined to the upper snowpack as the stout refrozen crust layer bridges weak layers buried deeper in the snowpack. If you are out this morning you may see dry snow sluffing transition to a wet loose problem as temperatures rise and the sun warms the upper snowpack.

At upper elevations where snow totals were likely higher and winds stronger wind drifted snow has likely formed thicker more cohesive slabs over a hard crust. Although these will be less sensitive today than yesterday, approach these carefully as even small slab avalanches are likely to run long distances on the crust. Over the past several days winds shifted form our prevailing southwest to north, so be aware that wind slabs may have formed in unusual locations.

Recreating at lower elevations has become increasingly difficult as the snowpack has diminished and become what our director referred to as a “wet manky mess”. That said, if you find enough snow to play on, be aware of proximity to gullies and terrain traps where avalanched snow could pile up and setup like concrete.

Springtime is when many of us start to think about bigger objectives that we have been eyeing all winter as the snowpack consolidates and strengthens. However springtime brings wild shifts in weather that can change the avalanche hazard quickly. Being aware of how conditions are changing around you should inform your travel plans. With the return of cooler temperatures, our Wet Slab avalanche threat has lost its bite for the time being, but don’t put it completely out of your mind yet. The Wet Slab problem will come back into play this weekend when warm and sunny conditions return to our area and those buried instabilities are lubricated again by melt water. The main wetting front from last week's rain and HOT temperatures that made a weak, manky mess of the upper snowpack, while liquid water likely traveled deeper or to the ground. Places where water got hung up will likely refreeze during long periods of below freezing temperatures and lock up those instabilities. However, as we get deeper into April, the sun angle gets higher in the sky and this can have a profound influence on reemerging wet snow hazards - even thawing refrozen meltwater closer to the surface. Be wary of slopes with large glide cracks as the amount of water moving through the system could nudge these slopes closer to failure as the barrier between the ground and the entire snowpack gets lubricated like a slip-n-slide track. Glide avalanches are unpredictable at best to forecast.

The dueling battle of warm versus cold air enhanced by orographic lift when storms move through can lead to intense periods of snowfall, and rapid accumulations. Depending on the type of older snow surface the new snow falls on will have a big influence on bonding and how sensitive fresh slabs are. Use surface clues of unstable snow and non-consequential test slopes to set yourself up for success and identify areas of slopes to simply go around. Stepping into more complex or extreme terrain still requires cautious snowpack assessments and decision-making where even a small, more isolated slide can lead to a bad outcome.

**Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users. The survey will help us learn more about who is purchasing, and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education—and why some riders are not. The survey is confidential and anonymous. Your feedback is invaluable to improve avalanche education and awareness across North Idaho and Northwestern Montana. Please take a moment to share your experience and help your local avalanche community. You can take the survey HERE.**

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