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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

With another day of warm temperatures, the upper portion of the snowpack will remain wet, generally weak and largely unsupportable, especially in the afternoons. The lack of a prolonged freeze is cause for heightened awareness of wet loose slides. Be avalanche aware today, especially under slopes that are warming or under exposed rocks and cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    You'll encounter plenty of sign of loose wet avalanche activity today. Yesterday I observed many old and not so old loose snow avalanches in the Selkirks. These slides may not be large enough to bury you but could be consequential if they knock you off your feet and carry you into trees, rocks, or over cliffs. When you find wet surface snow deeper than your ankle, be suspicious of nearby steep slopes. You’re most likely to see these conditions in rocky areas or in terrain receiving direct sunshine. During this spring transition, cornices can collapse and snow will shed from rocky faces. You obviously don’t want to be under these features if it happens. So, pay attention to the terrain above you and don’t linger underneath these potential hazards.

    (3/23/2022)

    Wet loose avalanche debris likely from Tuesday, 3/22. Initiated in the steep terrain above this south facing slope, on Moose Creek Road in the Cabinets.

     

    Photo: Ryan Matz

Avalanche Discussion

The Selkirks and Cabinets haven’t experienced a good freeze in nearly a week. The longer this period of above freezing temperatures continues, the more uncertainty grows regarding the possible size and likelihood of wet spring avalanches. Tuesday has the potential to be the most active day of this shed-cycle with more warm and sunny weather predicted. Since we’re coming off of another night without a solid freeze, plan on encountering wet and punchy snow early. While you may find a thin supportable crust this morning, expect it to be short lived.

This past week really saw the transition from a winter snowpack to a springtime snowpack. On most slopes that means the upper portion of the snowpack changed to spring-like (melt-form) snow. The snow is saturated with water draining into the snowpack. I’d expect the snow to become unsupportable (punchy) in many areas, especially when you get off firm surfaces like trails. Things quickly change this time of year. Most all the winter layers that were creating persistent weaknesses in the snowpack 10 days ago are gone. The surface melt has broken down those layers and replaced them with springtime snowpack problems.  Even though spring snow can change quickly, it is semi-predictable.  Mother Nature gives us a lot of signs of when the danger is increasing. Unfortunately, the safest avalanche conditions in the spring are refrozen hard snow that isn't great for skiing and sledding. The best and safest conditions are on slopes still somewhat frozen and supportable but with just a little surface melt to make softer skiing and sledding conditions. Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine!

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