Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet loose slides will be easily triggered by riders today in steep terrain as temperatures rise back above the freezing mark.  Pay attention to the condition of the snowpack under your feet. If the snowpack surface is starting to get soft, it is time to move to lower angle ground. Terrain traps and steep gullies where debris can accumulate will be the highest consequence terrain, and the locations most likely to cause a significant problem today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Warm temperatures have taken their toll on the strength of cornices. Cornice fall will be a possibilty in the mountains today on leeward terrain. Avoid being on or under any cornice while temperatures are above the freezing mark. Avalanches triggered by cornice fall will harbor the most potential for triggering relatively larger slides as the day warms up. Yesterday we observed the debris of a wet loose slide triggered by cornice fall in the West Cabinets that was powerful enough to take out multiple trees. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    The recent warm temperatures have created ideal conditions for wet loose slides in steep terrain at all elevation bands. The upper snowpack may stay firm through the morning hours today as temperatures dipped back down to the freezing mark in some locations across the Kootenai. Lower elevations will likely be susceptible to triggering avalanches earlier in the day. If the snow is soft and you are sinking or punching through the upper snowpack, that will be your cue to relocate and play in lower angle terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Spring is here and with it come all of the general spring avalanche problems. Yesterday we observed moisture penetrating deep into the snowpack as warm days and nights have started to turn our precious snow back into free water. Wet loose avalanches, cornice fall, and glide cracks can all be found out there in the mountains. It is the time of year that you will likely see avalanches. The good part of this is that these avalanches are pretty easy to avoid and some of them are pretty predictable. These avalanche problems are all driven by the sun and temperature. The warmer it gets and the longer it stays warm, the weaker the snow will become. During the nights when we see temperatures drop and refreeze the snowpack, the upper snowpack will lock back together and create some temporary stability, until it warms back up again. Taking advantage of the morning hours while the snowpack is still frozen and locked together will be your opportunity to get into steeper terrain. Once the snowpack starts to soften up you will want to change your terrain selection to utilize ridgelines and lower angle slopes for travel.

The last avalanche forecast for the Kootenai Zone will be posted Friday, April 1st!

Regions covered