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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Cold temperatures, wind and recent snow has allowed for a lot of wind transport of the new snow. Watch for pockets of wind slab on various aspects around ridge lines. Recent Northeast winds have caused reverse loading, cross loading and built slabs in unexpected places. The wind slabs are sitting on top of a supportable crust which could be a good sliding surface for avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs can be found on all aspects near and above treeline, but will mostly be found on Leeward slopes. There has been a lot of cross loading and reverse loading over the past 72 hours. The wind slabs are managable in places where the snow isn't to deep (under 6'') but yesterday we found places were the snow had loaded up to 2 ft deep. Wind is in the forecast for the next couple days so I'd expect to see more loading until we see a change in te weater.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Faceted layers under the crusts in the upper portion of the pack still exist. Yesterday, cold temperatures kept those layers pretty locked up, but they could come alive again when the weather warms up next week. 

Avalanche Discussion

Winter is officially back! Expect to find cold and windy conditions today. The recent storm snow (2-6’’) is being redistributed by variable and erratic winds. The storm started with strong Southwest winds which became Northeast winds as the arctic air moved in. Yesterday, from the trailhead to the high peaks, we observed a lot of wind deposited snow. Because the temperatures are still cold and the forecast is for more wind, I anticipate the wind slabs will get thicker and stiffer in the next couple of days. Two crust layers sandwiched between facets can be found in the upper 12-18’’ of the snowpack. These layers aren’t currently showing signs of instability but could be a good slide plane for recent wind load snow. The lower snowpack (December snow) is well consolidated and is currently acting like a solid base. There are a couple interfaces that could become active later this season.

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