Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack will remain as the main concern in our snowpack. This layer is found on all aspects above 4,500' in elevation. You can avoid triggering this weak layer by avoiding terrain that is steeper than 30 degrees and steering clear of open areas that lack vegetation to anchor the snowpack. The West Cabinets received 8-9" of new snow overnight. Pay close attention to this new snow particularly near ridgelines where it is being transported and packed into cohesive slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    We continue to see failure and propagation in a weak layer close to the ground. This weak layer consists of crust and weak, sugary snow. This layer is a result of the early November snow and a prolonged spell of cold, dry weather. Stability tests and observations are showing all the classic signs of instability such as collapsing and shooting cracks. Stability tests are producing propagation with light to moderate force. In areas where the snowpack is thin this layer is particularly sensitive, such as the Purcell Range and aspects where the wind has created thinner coverage. The snowpack in the Cabinets also harbors this weak layer but it has been shown to be less sensitive, in the Cabinets it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on this weak layer, in the Purcells it is likely. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate winds out of the west and southwest were creating small pockets of windslab above treeline this week. These slabs will likely continue to build as snow and wind rolled through the area the past 24 hours. You can expect to find these slabs building directly below ridgelines and under steep, convex rolls at upper elevations. In many areas the new snow will be resting on a layer of surface hoar. The new snow will only be a concern in areas where it is cohesive and slabby, so, pay attention to the surface conditions of the snowpack. If you see cracking in the surface of the snowpack, then you will want to stick to lower angle terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Variety is the "spice of life" they say, and our snowpack has both variety and spice. In the Cabinets our weak layers are much less sensitive than the Purcell Range, the snow is also about 20 inches deeper. If I had the ability to rate them seperately I would rate the Cabinets as "Moderate", meaning avalanches are possible. In popular areas of the Purcell Range such as Flatiron, N.W. Peaks, and Rock Candy we are in a solid Considerable hazard rating, meaning human triggered avalanches are "likely" in steep and open terrain. We received a modest storm last night with the highest concentrations of snow falling in the West Cabinets last night. This new snow may be a concern near ridgelines and exposed areas where the wind has created cohesive slabs. During the past week I have been finding surface hoar growing on the snowpack at elevations up to the treeline on all aspects. Surface hoar may create future problems in this new snow as it sets up into a soft and cohesive slab.

 

 

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