Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow from the previous 24 hours that fell with increasing temperatures will build denser snow overlaying weaker snow, creating sensitive and dangerous sized storm slabs 1 to 2 feet thick near tree line and above. New slabs will be largest and most reactive downwind of ridgelines, near steep gully walls and other similar terrain features that collect wind blown snow. Warning signs such as a sculpted snow surface, cracking within the surface snow and audible collapses warrant redirecting travel to low angle terrain that avoids steep overhead slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    In the previous 24 hours, nearly 12 inches of new snow has fallen across the northern mountains. This new snow is blanketing a rain crust that developed during the previous storm, and the recent snowfall stacking up on top of this crust initially started out cold and light but took a turn towards warm and heavy at the tail end. This combination equates to the development of an "upside down" slab, where denser snow rests on weaker snow.

    Additional strong wind speeds that reached over 80mph in the previous 24 hours have created even more sensitive and thicker slabs. Areas with deeper, freshly formed snow drifts that are 1 to 2 feet thick will be most reactive on convex terrain features, on the downwind side of ridges, and on steep open slopes that have collected more windblown snow. Dangerous and reactive slabs may be found further downslope in these specific areas due to how strong and consistent the wind has been. The shift to dynamic weather has created dangerous avalanche conditions and warrants cautious travel plans today.

    Annotated snowpit at 6200 feet on a North aspect in the Selkirks, 12/18/25.

    Photo: Micah Krmpotich

Avalanche Discussion

The wild weather roller coaster that we have been on keeps going, but we will see a slight reprieve today. The good news is that the addition of nearly 12 inches of snow across the northern mountains in the previous 24 hours is helping to make the mountains resemble something closer to a winter environment than what we’ve seen recently.

Thanks to some colder temperatures and lowering snow lines, the mountains now have a blanket of new snow at mid and upper elevations. Snow totals vary widely across the north and south, with the north receiving the upper hand and the south coming up short with an average of 4 inches. Temperatures had a sharp increase late last night and early this morning, which has created denser snow atop the initial lighter snow, and scattered rain in certain areas.

Over the previous couple of days, wind speeds across the forecast region have landed above 80mph. Not only have these impressive wind speeds complicated the avalanche problems, but they have also complicated access to the mountains, causing lots of new downfall and widespread power outages across the Panhandle. The crux of the wind speeds have passed us and are in the rear view now, but gusts reaching the 50s will linger early this morning as a cold front passes through, before hovering in the 20-30smph for the rest of the day. Even though these speeds are significantly less than the main event, they are plenty strong to continue to transport the new snow and thicken existing slabs.

Today will be all about monitoring surface conditions, conservative terrain choices, and a willingness to adjust plans. Storm slabs will be reactive, and slabs are large enough to bury, injure or kill an induvial. Slabs will become even larger in areas exposed to wind, where drifting has increased slab depth and sensitivity. Watch for surface clues and stick to low angle terrain to decrease exposure.

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