Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist at all elevations. Keep an eye out for wind effected snow at upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches can still happen in steep, isolated pockets. New snow and wind arrive today, so be ready for changing conditions, throughout the day. The southwest flow looks like it'll favor the southern Cabinet mountains.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

      Wind slabs, crusts and new snow will be encountered today, but the primary concern is still wind slabs. Multiple old and new wind slabs can be found across the Selkirk, Cabinet, and Purcell mountains. Those wind slabs present in a variety of hardnesses and thicknesses, and are sandwiching weak snow crystals in between them, so triggering an avalanche is still possible.  Firm, hollow sounding snow can be a good indicator that you are on a wind slab. You can find wind effected snow on all aspects above treeline.

    On 2/15, Brian Hilland found a reactive wind slab  in the southern Selkirks

    6200' / W facing leeward slope

    Photo: B Hilland

  • Persistent Slabs

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

     Multiple persistent weak layers (PWL) can be found in the upper portion of the snowpack; however, upon testing, they remain resistant to failure. The PWL's can be found in some variety, on most aspects, and at all elevations. Weak snow crystals, at the Lucky Friday crust have developed above and below the crust. The lucky Friday crust can be found about 24-30 inches below the snow surface. The further north you go, the more unlikely it is that you'll find the ' Lucky Friday' crust, but it's pretty easy to find in the southern Cabinet and Selkirk mountains.  The weight of new snow, which arrives today will put added stress on the PWL's inching it closer to a failure point.

Avalanche Discussion

Big changes are coming in the weather and avalanche stability this coming week. A storm system will roll into the area on Sunday night and deliver abundant snow and winds over a 72 hour period ending Tuesday night. Be prepared to see our current snowpack stability decline and danger to rise starting Monday with this storm. This storm will be pushed out by and arctic intrusion on Wednesday, bringing single digit temperatures and northerly winds. Stay tuned!!

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