Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above treeline or at ridgetops near treeline is where windslabs that formed in the new snow exist.  They will be predominantly on westerly aspects but due to shifting winds they could exist on other aspects.  If you feel the snow go from soft to firm you may be on a windslab which is more unstable than the surrounding snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recall that last week as we transitioned from rain to snow the storm came in with strong winds.  Those winds formed dense windslabs at higher elevations and exposed ridgetops.  In our outing yesterday to the Cabinets we found the windslabs still present but not as touchy.  The milder weather has allowed the slabs to bond with the underlying snow.  Leeward slabs tend to be thicker than windward slabs.  The depth of snow over the Christmas crust varied from 1-2 feet.  We did not see any natural avalanches of windslab over the crust.  We did reveal some moderate shears of the new snow over the Christmas crust but in most cases it seems that the snow bonded to the crust.

Avalanche Discussion

In our travels yesterday we found excellent riding and sliding conditions on every aspect.  The new snow from the active weather pattern averaged about 1-2 feet in depth over the Christmas crust.  That crust is a couple inches thick and will bridge the weak layers of surface hoar and facets below but it will break down with time.  So, we have hit the reset button on the snowpack for now.  The high country is filling in and your radar should be picking up on how the bigger terrain is connecting.  As the snow continues to fill in focus on how weak layers may wrap around ridges and run up slopes from bottom to top.  Access is getting better but so will the avalanche potential.  All you need is three things, a slab, a weak layer, and a trigger.  Use this time of moderate conditions to identify the avalanche slopes where you ride.

Regions covered