Avalanche forecast

Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and steady winds will form shallow drifts at upper elevations and they could vary in sensitivity based on the type of snow surface they stack above - potentially breaking into deeper weak layers where drifts exceed 8 inches. Look for and identify evidence of drifting like a textured snow surface, lens-shaped pillowy areas below ridges and in gullies, or where you find a stiffer snow surface. If rainfall Friday rises quicker and higher in elevation than expected, wet snow hazards may emerge and provoke the drier, recent snowfall to start to sluff downhill.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–2.5

    Persistent weak layers responsible for lingering snowpack instabilities are now buried one to three feet deep in the snowpack. These weak layers consist of a worrisome array of weak faceted grains surrounding multiple rain crusts going back to our first atmospheric river event in mid-December. In recent days, these weak interfaces have been providing us with less and less feedback, but the same basic crust/facet structure remains widespread. Facet growth, and therefore sensitivity, are more pronounced in places where the layers are less insulated from the recent cold snap due to shallower over all snow depth. Places where the snowpack is shallower, whether that is around rocky outcroppings, wind scoured slopes, or mid-elevations that received smaller snow totals and more rain, are the most likely spots to encounter this problem. The only way to know for sure what the structure looks like below you or how reactive it may be is to dig down and investigate.Larger triggers like a machine trenching through the upper slab have a slightly higher potential to influence these weak layers than a human. Another scenario is a rider finding a shallow, not-so-sweet spot on the slope or where the overlying slab softens from the warmer weather making it easier to punch into deeper weak layers. The current state of these persistent weak layers has migrated to a lower likelihood, higher consequence regime. This means you are not likely to receive any warning signs before an avalanche occurs. Continue to make more mindful terrain choices and avoid traveling in steeper, more complex terrain to avoid an unexpected avalanche encounter.

    (12/28/2025)

    Failures in pit tests around the Grinch crust and the 12/19 crust are still being reported across the mountains. With faceting surrounding these crusts, the addional weight of snow and rain could push these weak layers closer to failure. Selkirk Mountains. December 28, 2025.

    Photo: Chris Bilbrey

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Upper elevation terrain will likely avoid the rising rain line today and see anywhere between 3 to 5 inches of new snow fall. Snow totals heavily rely on temperatures staying below freezing, and the further north you go in the forecast area the more likely you are to see temperatures cooperate and stay colder. Under the direction of winds from the west and southwest, new snow will develop into small drifts. Wind speeds are not forecasted to be very strong, but fast enough to form new slabs directly below ridge tops, and near the tops of gullies.

    Cracking within the new snow and a textured surface indicates that this problem has taken shape. If you encounter these warnings, consider changing aspect or redirect to lower angle slopes to avoid triggering a wind slab.  

    An example of where you might find a wind slab today. Steady winds from the west and southwest will drift new snow into slabs directly below the leeward side of ridgelines.

    December 22, 2025. 

    Photo: Izzy Davis

Avalanche Discussion

Today marks the official end of high pressure, bluebird skies, and stable weather. A series of low-pressure systems spinning off the Pacific coast will keep us under an active and unsettled weather pattern for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, we will be battling rising snow lines and warm temperatures as several warm fronts slide over the inland Northwest today.

With the approaching fronts brought in under the direction of a southwest flow, the southern portion of the forecast area will receive the waves of rain first before migrating towards the north. Snow levels will start high on Friday in the Silver Valley-Bitterroots, between 5000 to 6000 feet, and continue rising through the duration of the day. Warmer air aloft from the oncoming moist Pacific system will run out colder air, and push the snow line even higher up the mountains. By Saturday morning, even the tallest peaks in the Silver Valley-Bitterroots will likely see precipitation switch to rain.

The snow line will increase in elevation in the northern mountains, too, but have a better chance of staying a tad lower. Rain will likely reach elevations around 4000 to 5000 feet, and extend up towards 6000 feet with another warm front passing through this evening. Upper elevations will fight to hang on to snow, and if temperatures cooperate, could see nearly half a foot of new snow. Steady winds will work to drift the new snow into shallow slabs at upper elevations. How everything pans out, and exact totals will completely hinge on temperatures.

As a result of above-freezing temperatures and rain on snow, a Wet Loose problem will develop as more moisture wets the surface. This problem will work its way up the mountain with the rising rain line. Expect overall avalanche size to be small, but increase in potential size in the mid elevation band where snow totals are deeper, and runouts are longer. The Wet Loose problem will impact the southern region first, and then slowly migrate to the northern zones if the rain and temperatures exceed their forecasted amounts.

Whether it’s rain or snow, new precipitation will add weight to the snowpack, and we can’t forget about our persistent weak layers buried 1 to 3 feet deep. As more precipitation stacks up, these layers will get tested and could be pushed closer to failure. Carefully assess changing conditions, and consider limiting your exposure to steep slopes. With these weak layers being buried deeper and deeper, they are providing less feedback and are presenting with less warning signs, but a worrisome snowpack structure still exists.

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