Avalanche forecast

Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wet loose avalanches will be likely in the afternoon on steep solar aspects. Plan to be off, and out from under, steep south facing slopes by the time surface snow becomes moist and loses cohesion in the afternoon. Be prepared to move to cooler north facing slopes, low angle terrain or head for the truck.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches usually start on steep slopes, usually over 35°, often around exposed rock, when input of solar energy weakens the upper snowpack. Also known as point release avalanches, these can entrain a large quantity of snow that can travel long distances into lower angle terrain. If you start to see lots of tree bombs and roller balls that grow rapidly and gouge the surface, it’s time to move off steep slopes or find colder snow on non-solar aspects.

    Although wet loose avalanches move relatively slowly, they are dense and can entrain enough snow to take a skier/rider, or even a snowmobile, for a ride over cliffs or bury a victim in a terrain trap. When the risk of wet loose avalanches is elevated, limit your exposure below steep slopes and be aware of your proximity to terrain traps.

    (3/14/2024) Photo: Mikey Church

    Lots of roller balls on a south facing slope mean its time to find cooler snow on the north side, stick to low angle terrain or head for the truck.

Avalanche Discussion

A stable snowpack, warm weather, and clear skies, mean now is an enticing time to get into the hills for Spring conditions. With daytime temperatures forecast well into the 40’s and nightly lows getting just below freezing for the foreseeable future, we are entering a classic Springtime diurnal cycle; in which the chance of wet loose avalanches will rise each afternoon before the snowpack cools and stabilizes each night. Keep an eye on overnight lows as the forecast shows temps will be very close to the freezing mark as the weekend progresses. The likelihood of Spring avalanche problems: wet loose, cornice falls and glide avalanches, will increase when surface snow fails to refreeze.

Skiing and riding conditions will be best in the morning, before conditions on south facing slopes deteriorate in the afternoons. Snow globing onto skis or skins, abundant tree bombs and roller balls that gouge the surface and grow rapidly in size are all signs that surface snow has lost cohesion, and that the danger of wet loose avalanches is increasing. Plan your day so that you do not find yourself committed to steep south facing slopes in the afternoon. If you start to see signs of wetted surface snow it’s time to move to cooler north slopes, low angle terrain, or head back to the trailhead.

Enjoy it while we’ve got it. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen. Ski and ride safe!

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