Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

After a warm couple of days, expect temperatures to cool as the day progresses. Steer clear of wind drifted snow. Pockets of wind drifts are still a concern and could be avalanche prone. Expect to find the wind drifts in protected areas on the leeward side of ridges.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Pockets of wind slab can be found in isolated areas. The most likely place to find these wind slabs are on sheltered north facing slopes, on the leeward side of ridges.  The wind slabs we encountered were 6-10 inches thick and fairly reactive. 

    (4/4/2022)

    Crown of intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche 3/4/22, failing on an interface 5 cm above the late March refrozen layer. Glidden Ridge, N aspect.

    Photo: Ryan Matz

  • Loose Wet

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

    Be aware of warm wet snow. The most likely place to find these conditions are going to be at lower elevations. Once the snow isn't frozen on the surface your red lights should be going off. Unsupportable and punchy snow is much more avalanche prone that frozen snow. Get on it early. That's your best chance at avoiding a wet avalanche problem.

    Roller Balls

Avalanche Discussion

Over the past few days, the air temperature has been warm which focused the avalanche concern on wet snow problems. Temperatures are expected to cool throughout today and the skies are forecasted to be cloudy, which shifts the primary avalanche problem back to wind slabs. Wind slabs were created on Monday when a quick, windy storm moved through and dropped 4-6 inches of snow. The storm’s strong Southwest winds loaded up the starting zones on Northerly facing slopes. Even though the wind slabs have been around for a couple days, they’re still intact, reactive, and capable of producing avalanches. For the most part you’ll find the pockets of wind slab in isolated, protected areas above 5000 ft. The wind loaded areas should be easy to identify and avoid.

Access is getting tricky as the snowline is moving higher and higher in elevation.  At lower elevations, you may encounter snow that didn’t refreeze overnight, which mean there could be a loose wet avalanche problem. Watch out for wet unsupportable snow below 4000 ft. As the snow surface becomes moist or wet, back off the slopes. Keep in mind that these avalanches can be more destructive because of their high density.  At low elevations you’ll want to be aware of terrain traps such as creek beds, steep road banks, overhead steep slopes and rocky areas.

This is our last forecast of the season. Thank you for supporting IPAC this Winter! Have a great and safe Spring!

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