Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A warm storm on Wednesday brings light precipitation, rising freezing levels, and blustery winds. Wet snow hazards will develop up to around 6000 feet, while new snow above tree line could drift into fresh slabs on leeward slopes. Be prepared to migrate away from steep slopes once you start to see the obvious warning signs, like wet sticky snow, roller balls, and small avalanches shedding from steep terrain, or pillows with surface snow density changes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rising freezing levels and light rainfall into middle elevations will gradually destabilize snow at the surface and increase the likelihood of Wet Loose avalanches on steep slopes. Areas with around 6 inches of previously soft dry snow are found near and above 5,500 feet and will be wetted for the first time by rainfall. The locations with deeper soft snow are not widespread due to multiple days of strong spring sunshine since the last snowfall. They are generally found on more shaded aspects and in sheltered terrain.

    If you find yourself traveling through these places with more than 4 inches of previously dry powder and notice the snow becoming sticky and saturated, it is time to migrate away from steeper terrain and consider calling it a day, as conditions might rapidly deteriorate. Most Wet Loose avalanches today should be small, but the places capable of producing larger and most consequential slides will be areas where they initiate above long continuously steep terrain, allowing them to accumulate volume, mass, and speed as they move down slope and funnel toward hazardous features below such as deep ravines, cliffs, or dense timber.

    Large natural Wet snow avalanche originated near 6900 feet on a South aspect slope and descended about 1000 feet into this creek drainage. East Cabinets. Photo taken March 28, 2026.

    Photo: Micah Krmpotich

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Light snow at elevations that exceed the rain line and winds with moderate gusts may drift drier new snow into small reactive slabs near upper elevation ridges this afternoon. Areas below ridges in the upper elevations are common locations to watch for pockets of new wind blown snow to accumulate. If you travel to these areas, identify recent wind affected terrain by looking for changes in surface hardness and texture. Even a small slide could take you for a long ride on the stout underlying crust, so continue best practices like one at a time on advanceable slopes and eyes on your partner.

    (2/9/2026)

    Small D1 on the north half of the compass rose below ridgelines and terrain features are possible today. Look for slopes with a wind textured surface, styrofoam like pilloes and shooting cracks. 

    February 9, 2026.

    Photo: Izzy Davis

Avalanche Discussion

Don’t get April fooled into thinking winter is over. A spring snowstorm that is entering our region today has the potential to drop nearly a foot, or more, of new snow in the mountains if high end predictions play out. With that the avalanche danger will trend upward this afternoon as the effects of precipitation and wind develop. We anticipate that trend to continue into tomorrow as snow as the snow line drops and the bulk of the precipitation begins to accumulate overnight.

In the meantime, the snowpack continues to diminish. Finding enough snow recreate at our lowest forecasted elevation band, 4,500’ to 5,500’, is becoming increasingly difficult as many access routes have patchy to bare coverage.

 Ski and ride safe.

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