Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

A few inches of new snow and wind today may build new wind slabs above treeline and will add to our persistent slabs near and below treeline. Avalanche danger will increase through tomorrow morning. If snowfall totals push the upper end of the 4-8” forecast avalanche danger may exceed our Moderate rating after dark tonight. Evaluate the upper snowpack carefully and consider the consequences of an avalanche as you choose terrain, remembering that while it’s not present everywhere, our surface hoar weak layer has gained minimal to no strength this week.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Snow accumulated since Sunday fell on a variety of surfaces including a weak surface hoar layer in many wind sheltered open areas near and below treeline. Location and sensitivity of this weak layer vary widely. The buried surface hoar is most widespread in the Purcells where the few inches of new snow this week hasn’t really been enough to create an avalanche problem. You’re more likely to find a cohesive slab on this persistent weak layer in the Cabinets, where the surface hoar layer is more spatially variable and slabs large enough to injure or bury a person may exist. Some terrain lacks this avalanche problem, but it’s worth suspiciously evaluating the snowpack wherever you travel for the possibility of similar and nearby slopes acting very differently.

    (1/28/2022)

    Surface Hoar, North aspect 6,000' near Lookout Pass

    Photo: Ryan Matz

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Reactive but generally small wind slabs, likely to trigger for a skier or rider, may develop from our new snow and moderate to strong SW wind today. You can avoid triggering these relatively small, but potentially consequential, avalanches by avoiding pockets of wind drifted snow on the lee side of terrain features above treeline ridges. These new slabs will develop through the day and size depends on the amount of new snow we receive. We’re not forecast to receive much snow, but the sustained 20-30+ mph wind speeds can easily build slabs a foot or more thick from only a few inches of new snow.

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s somewhat small amounts of new snow will fall on the still soft and cold snow we received earlier this week. You’ll also find scouring on windward slopes and firmer wind deposited snow on the lee side of our higher ridges. We don’t expect any significant increases in stability of our spatially variable surface hoar layer to have occurred this week. Continue to look for this layer, buried anywhere from a few inches to a foot or so below the snow surface, and consider its potential ability to surprise you if you grow complacent through the coming days. Some excellent riding conditions can be found near and below treeline which is also where areas of buried surface hoar are lurking. We weren't able to find the surface hoar layer in the east Cabinets yesterday, but we're still suspicious and expect to find it in more wind sheltered terrain. Don’t let your guard down and consider continuing to choose low angle, or at least low consequence, terrain where you’ll still find good, soft, and fun snow!

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