Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Heavy snowfall, strong winds and rising temperatures will combine to create dangerous avalanche conditions today and Saturday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended at this time.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    The mountains of the Kootenai have received over a foot of new snow since Thursday with more on the way. As temperatures rise and the new snow becomes more dense this will create slab conditions in the upper snowpack at all elevations. The heavy snowfall will be landing on a very light layer of snow from the previous storm which will create an "upside down" cake in the upper snowpack. This upper layer will likely be reactive today and into the weekend.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    The current weather system impacting the area has ushered in a strong southwesterly wind that will switch to west on Friday as a cold front enters the area. Sustained winds in the upper 20's with gusts over 50 mph are predicted. This will create additional loading on north and east aspects in open terrain and near ridgelines, further stressing the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

As my power flickers on and off the dense snow continues to fall in the high country with strong winds. This is going to give us a significant spike in avalanche hazard going into the weekend but it will be temporary. Yesterday's observations revealed that our current snowpack is looking really good and lacking any significant layer's of concern from top to bottom. The current hazards are all weather related and will heal quickly within a few days as the new snow settles and bonds with the existing snowpack.

We are recommending that you avoid any avalanche terrain at this time. If you have to get out and ride then keep your routes on low angle terrain and avoid being on or below any steep, open slopes.

 

Regions covered