Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Copious amounts of new snow, wind, and rising temperatures are the reasons that the avalanche danger has risen to High today.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today and tomorrow.  The storm will abate somewhat but the wind will continue to transport all this new snow and load it on lee aspects.  Look for shooting cracks, listen for whumphing, and always take heed of avalanche activity and stay off those slopes and any others at the same aspect and elevation.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    In the Cabinet Mountains at 6,000 feet Ryan and I found a couple weak layers in the upper pack in the new storm snow.  The layers failed easily in our pit tests but since the snow was very cold and light they did not propagate, yet.  We were just starting to see signs of weak layer instability, cracking.  Since yesterday afternoon Bear Mountain snotel is showing 14 inches of new snow with 2 inches of water.  That is getting heavier over those weak layers and think of the windloaded areas that will be even more stressed.  Natural avalanches are likely.  

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It was calm below 6,000 feet yesterday but once we got up toward the ridgetop we quickly got into west winds.  Surface snow is light and fluffy so there is alot of snow to be transported.  The wind will stiffen the west slopes so watch for a windslab there but the easterly slopes will be getting loaded, likely to the point of creating natural avalanches.  It is not recommended to travel in any avalanche terrain today or tomorrow because of this but travel on windloaded, easterly aspects today or tomorrow would almost certainly result in triggering an avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche danger is rising today due to heavy snowfall, increasing winds, and rising temperatures.  That's the big three in making avalanches, no denying it.  If you are venturing into the mountains stay off slopes steeper than 30 degrees.  Stay on low angle terrain that is protected by trees and not connected to steep slopes above.  Be careful about hitting convex rollovers where the snow wants to pull apart,  Pay attention to any clue to the snow instability and react accordingly.  Not a time to take chances today or tomorrow.  The storm abates tomorrow and colder weather returns on Sunday.  This will settle the pack but don't let your guard down.  Unstable conditions will persist on some slopes so that is when it gets tricky to know whether it is safe.  You'll have to be dililgent about assessing the conditions constantly as you go.  So, for today or tomorrow go to your local ski area, stay on low angle protected terrain, or get down with those legos you got for Christmas.

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