Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and winds are creating dangerous avalanche conditions on steep slopes in the high mountains. Avalanche danger will rise with more incoming snow and winds. Adopt a conservative mindset, travel cautiously, and select low angle terrain.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A recent storm quickly brought new snow and strong southwest winds. Storm snow totals vary across the forecast zone, the Cabinets received more than the Selkirks. Storm slabs are 6” to 18” deep and possibly deeper in wind deposited spots. New snow instabilities, such as cracking, often provide easy feedback but an absence of signs may also exist in not answering questions on instability. Do not let a lull in snow and winds today be a lull from cautious decision making. 

    While storm totals vary across the zone, winds have been similar everywhere. Strong winds mainly out of the south-west have loaded steep slopes near ridgelines. The most likely spots to find wind slabs are north facing but don’t be surprised to find wind loading on all aspects at high elevation.  

    Cracking in new storm snow, from Sunday 2/25

    Photo: Micah Krmpotich

Avalanche Discussion

A quick change occurred in the mountains in the last 2 days, largely concentrated over Sunday and Sunday night. Moderate to heavy snowfall and accompanied strong winds were concentrated over this short time frame. Monday and Tuesday are seeing a intermittent break in weather up high. Intense mountain weather is forecasted to set in again Tuesday night and go through Thursday. With a lot of new snow and wind loading, avalanche danger conditions will be rising higher. 

Down below in the main valley bottoms low elevations have not experienced near the same amount of recent precipitation and winds as the middle and higher mountain elevations. Elevations below 4500’ still have very low snow coverage for this time of season and have also lacked the intensity of new snowfall the last couple days. Significant changes occur in snowpack heights between 4500 - 5500’, with snow heights quickly rising. At 6000’ and higher, the snowpack is still below average but coverage is building and is enough for quality riding. At Roman Nose on Monday we found 5 ft of snow on average around 6000’.

This winter has been lacking snow and good riding. Now current storm systems are delivering a lot of powder and raising stoke levels. Avalanche danger is also elevated and rapidly rising. Recognize these two rising and conflicting factors - your own snow ambitions versus snow avalanche conditions. Adopt a conservative mindset in stepping back and remain patient in low angle simple terrain while instability is highest.

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