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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

We went from elevated avalanche danger on Wednesday with rain to the upper elevations until the temperatures decreased and locked up resulting in a thick icecrust on low and mid elevations and thinning out to a  breakable crust in the upper elevations which helped stabilize things.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    We still have numerous persistent weak layers in the snowpack consisting of facets and buried surface hoar.  Areas where these could come into play will be in upper elevations where the rain was not as prominent and the crust is breakable where a rider could penetrate down and have a chance at triggering these layers.  Otherwise the thicker ice crust is acting as a bridge between the user and the weak layers.  

Avalanche Discussion

The recent snow earlier in the week followed by warm temperatures and rain followed by clear skies and cool temperatures has shown what North Idaho weather is all about.  Lots of changes where the hazard rating can change rapidly from high to low within 24 hours.  With more stable conditions, the hazard will more be navigating on an ice crust layer on the surface of the pack.  This layer is currently getting some surface hoar on it with the clearer weather yesterday.  The crust will be a new bed surface for future slabs to form on and there is surface hoar on the crust it will be a problem provided it doesn't rain or get wet snow on it, which as many of you know is pretty common.  Time will tell.  In the meantime assess your area of play and if you are lucky enough to get into some softer snow at some isolated high elevation, watch for some dense windslabs from Wednesdays wind event where one could break down to the weak layers.

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