Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The snowpack is very consolidated and stabilizing due to warmer temperatures during the day and freezing temperatures at night.  Solar aspects will warm and soften during the day with North aspects remaining cool.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose slides will be possible on steep slopes at mid and lower elevations where the temperatures and sun may warm the upper snowpack enough to get unstable if it has enough time under heat during mid day.  During peak hours between 11-2 the sun angle will be at its steepest.  Watch for signs of pinwheeling and shallow snowpack areas where rocks and convexities exist.  Choose your aspects wisely and just keep an eye on the suns affect on the snowpack as you travel throughout the day.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The mid January persistent weak layer can still be found over a meter deep.  It is buried by a consolidated meter plus of snow.  The weight and temperature fluctuations with the recent high pressure has helped heal things.  However it is still there but low probability of triggering due to the stiffness of the upper pack and the depth at which it exists.  Watch for areas where it may be shallower and just keep it in mind as you start to test the larger and steeper terrain.  It is more unlikely but always possible....

Avalanche Discussion

In the Southern Cabinets yesterday we climbed to 6200' from the valley floor.  Toward mid day, the middle elevations on the snow line became more rotten.  As we climbed above that it transitioned to some solar thawing on the upper few inches of the snowpack but stayed pretty firm underneath.  As we got into the 5500' range the suns affect was less and there was some softness from a dusting of snow that happened Wednesday.  The North aspects that do not get sun were still very soft on the upper 8 inches with a solid consolidated pack underneath.  Some light wind loading was happening on the very ridgetops that were unsheltered by trees.  As the sun wrapped around to the west, the SE aspects would start to immediately crust.  With some slightly warmer temperatures today and through the weekend, watch for more significant sun and temperature affect on the snow and think about how deep the slush is getting and how much weight it is adding on the pack.  Have a good safe weekend.

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