Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Fresh snow and moderate winds have created soft slabs at upper elevations. The most probable locations to trigger a slab will be in open terrain and above treeline where the winds have loaded and packed the new snow into a cohesive slab. Watch for clues of surface instability such as cracking and more cohesive snow layers. Use caution  below cornices and avoid steep, open terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Monday's new snowfall came in with moderate winds that played from west to south. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche at elevations above treeline where you can expect to find pockets of snow that will be packed into a more cohesive slab.  Areas I would avoid today are those loaded slopes on north-easterly aspects directly below ridgelines, steep roll-overs and chutes. These are spots where the new snowfall combined with wind will be harboring thicker and more cohesive snow.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snowfall ranged widely across the Kootenai and in many locations it is nice and fluffy. In locations below treeline you will likely find safe and fun riding conditions. You will want to pay attention to the surface of the snow today especially in steep and open terrain. My main concern with the new storm snow is in areas such as the East Cabinets where the terrain is more exposed at all elevations and the existing snow surface was more impacted by the wind prior to this new snowfall. If you are starting to see cracks in the snow surface or feel the snow increase in density in the upper snowpack it is likely you are on a slab. The best and safest riding today will be in terrain sheltered by the timber. I would avoid any steep and open terrain above treeline today until this new storm snow has settled.

Avalanche Discussion

Well, we seem to be in Mother Nature's path this year as the storms keep rolling in and stacking up. Monday brought us another nice shot of snow with more small accumulations predicted  each day until Thursday. On Thursday and Friday the Weather Service is predicting another walloping of snow that will likely come in on the wet and heavy side. We will likely see a spike in avalanche conditions by Friday as the next round of snow and wind rolls in. In the meantime, if you are getting out this week you will find excellent riding out there in more sheltered terrain where the timber has kept the wind off the snow. Monday's snowfall should settle out quickly as it bonds to the older snowpack surface. We are not seeing any real concerning layers at this time. Some of the areas that were previously packed by the wind will be the most problematic. Currently, the concern is the interfaces between storms where you may see some shearing or sloughing in terrain over 30 degrees. Storm snow and windslabs generally need 24-48 hours to settle and bond to the existing snowpack.

If you are getting out this week to tear up the fresh snow bring a little patience and save the big, open terrain above treeline for another day.

Regions covered