Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The snowpack across the Kootenai is generally stable today as cooler temperatures have locked the snowpack back together with a stout crust. The primary concern will be small pockets of wind slab found just below ridgelines on south and west aspects. This issue will be most concerning in terrain steeper than 35 degrees above tree line, where small avalanches have the potential to take you for a ride in high-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Saturday afternoon through Sunday rolled in with 4-8" of snow and winds out of the north and east in excess of 20 mph. This new snow was scoured off of the ridgelines and deposited onto west and southerly aspects below ridgelines creating wind slabs 12-18" thick. These slabs were stubborn and resistant to triggering on Monday, but I was able to trigger small wind slabs below ridgelines with effort. This last small storm came in warm and cooled off as it progressed, allowing the new snow to bond well with the crust layer below it. Wind slab failures were occurring roughly 1-2" above the crust layer in a layer of lower density snow. Wind loading dissipates quickly as you drop away from locations close to ridgeline. Avalanches triggered will be small and unlikely to bury you, but these slabs will have the potential to take you for a scary ride in steep and exposed terrain. You can stay out of harm's way by avoiding steep chutes and depressions that have been loaded below ridgelines. 

    (3/25/2024) Photo: Ben Bernall

Avalanche Discussion

Help us improve our avalanche forecasting efforts by clicking on the link below to take a short survey!!

CAIC Avalanche Research

For a quick run down on the conditions watch the video below.

Regions covered