Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rain will be adding weight to the snowpack and stressing existing weak layers resulting in natural avalanches.  Rain began steadily falling over the weekend and increased in intensity yesterday.  Any slopes steeper than 35 degrees on any aspect will be hazardous due to the added water weight.  If these slopes have not already slid naturally they are likely to do so with your added weight.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Brian Hilland and I traveled to Lunch Peak in the Cabinet Mountains yesterday.  We started off on the snowmobiles in the rain and it stayed that way all the way to the top at 6,400 feet.  We did not see natural avalanche activity on the slopes on the way up but checked stability on different aspects.  We found that yesterday the cold snow was beginning to warm from the top down with the addition of rain and warm temperatures.  The cold snow in the middle still held the weak layers.  At some point the weight of the added rain will likely trigger these weak layers and release in a wet slab.  These will be most likely on the steep open slopes in the high country but also that same type of terrain down to about 4,500 feet.  Be careful of large road cuts and steep ravines or gullys.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    The faceted persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack is warming and the sugary snow is starting to round and gain cohesion.  It is still a very distinct weak layer in the pack and the added weight from the rain will result in natural avalanches on steep open terrain especially in the high country but also on steep terrain features at lower elevations around 4,500 feet.  Slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have not slid should be avoided.

Avalanche Discussion

Since the temperatures began to rise when the warm front slid in on Friday we have received alot of rain; about 3 inches in the Cabinets and 1-2 inches in the Selkirks.  It was mostly brutal out there yesterday with rain and strong westerly winds and poor sliding conditions.  The rain is forecast to transition to snow today but that will not abate the present danger of wet slab avalanches.  If the transition occurs quickly we may be left with a buried layer of saturated snow.  The better scenario would be if the saturated layer freezes solid to bridge the weak layers below, then accumulate our new snow on that.  We have a good round of new snow on the way this week.  Hopefully we can hit the reset button with new snow over a solid base.  Make sure you continually check the conditions as you  go.  They are a changin.

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