Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche conditions are becoming more concerning as this week's storm totals have created a sizable slab which rests on a good sliding surface of surface hoar on top of the January 13th rain crust.   Storm totals for the week are 10-20" across the region.  This slab is easy to trigger and may be triggered remotely from below or adjacent terrain.  Throughout the week, strong winds out of the South and Southwest have transported the new snow onto leeward aspects.   Watch for heavy wind loading and wind-slabs in the higher elevations, above treeline and along ridgelines on North and Northeast aspects.  Avoid steep slopes, be aware of the terrain above and adjacent to you and play it safe this weekend!  

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Storm totals have added up to 10-20" across NW Montana.  This is a combination of new snow from the past 24 hours which is low density sitting on top of a cohesive layer of the snow we've gotten in the past 72 hours.  The slab is well bonded to itself, but sits on a very good sliding surface of surface hoar on top of the January 13th rain crust.  Surface hoar can be found in mid to high elevation terrain.  The slab is easily triggered in moderate to steep terrain.  Yesterday we easily triggered a 20" deep avalanche on a 30° slope in a small opening on a sheltered, timbered ridge.  Whomping and shooting cracks are a good indicators that the surface hoar layer is intact and avalanches can be easily triggered.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    With a steady south to southwest wind dominating the area you will likely find windslabs  building on north-westerly aspects above 5,500' today. Watch for cracking in locations below ridgelines and cornices. Cross-loaded gullies will also be suspect today at upper elevations where the wind is blowing the fresh snow across the slope and loading it into low spots in higher terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

Snow should be tapering off by mid-morning today and strong South to Southwest winds will continue throughout the day.  The next storm enters the area on Saturday which will add more weight to the persistant slab that we are concerned about.  This weekend human triggered avalanches will be likely at the mid and upper elevations.  Stay off steep slopes, wind-loaded gullies and ridge tops and be aware of where your partners are.

If you plan to ride in the Purcell Range I would definetly keep an eye on the building storm snow conditions. We have a pretty weak structure close to the surface of the existing snowpack in that area. Once we add a cohesive layer of storm snow to this recipe we will have a multi-layer cake that will be capable of producing avalanches.

 

 

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