Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Generally stable snowpack conditions are present across the mountains of the Kootenai as last week's warm temperatures and rain have left us with a stout crust layer at all elevations. Small pockets of wind slab may be found resting on this crust layer near ridgelines in small and isolated pockets. These slabs will be difficult to trigger, but worth keeping in mind if you seek to ride in "extreme terrain" at the upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    This past weekend the mountains picked up 6-10" of new snow at upper elevations. This new snow came in with light winds out of the north and east which has created small pockets of wind slab near and below ridgelines. Observations show that these slabs are small in size and will likely be difficult to trigger as the snow came in warm and bonded well to the stout crust layer beneath. If venturing into very steep and committing terrain above tree line, you will want to keep this potential in mind before committing.

Avalanche Discussion

Last week's warm temperatures and high elevation rains have saturated our relatively thin snowpack, which is now turning into a thick rain crust layer. Monday's observations in the Purcells showed this crust layer to be 4-6" thick and the snow beneath the crust layer is quite wet still. A nice coating of snow fell this past weekend as the warm temperatures and high elevation rain pushed out of the area. This last storm started warm and cooled off as it progressed. This scenario left us with a layer of light powder resting on the crust that is well bonded in most locations. The north and easterly wind component did create some slabby snow near ridgelines as mentioned above. The slabs we observed yesterday appear to be isolated to ridgeline locations and dissipate quickly once you leave the ridges. Our observations on Monday showed very little potential in this new snow.

On the bright side, this new crust layer has created a solid base and bridged over the weak layers that were cause for concern the past few weeks. The riding conditions aren't too shabby right now and the new crust layer will reduce the chances of hitting a buried obstacle. Snowpack coverage at lower elevations remains thin and can make accessing good terrain a real challenge in many locations, but that's been the theme so far this season across the northwest. 

Regions covered