Avalanche forecast

East Cabinet Mountains

Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Last weeks storms have added 15-30" of new snow on top of an existing weak layer that is fairly widespread accross the region, and recent reports of multiple natural and human triggered avalanches show that it is likely to be triggered. The healing process will make this layer increasingly more difficult to find and trigger, however, snow over the weekend has added to the depth of the slab and leads to a greater possibility of larger, more destructive slides.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Our culprit here is a buried surface hoar layer sitting on top of a stout rain crust from January. These surface hoar layers can be finicky and difficult to find, however observations and reports over the weekend show that it is out there and may likely be triggered. While this weakness will likely become more difficult to find and release over the next few days, more snow over the top of it leads to greater consequences when the sweet spot is found. Keep an eye out for thin gray lines in snowpits, and be particularly wary of northerly facing and/or wind protected slopes.  Now is a good time to be very selective in route planning while in or adjacent to avalanche terrain, and it is a wise choice to avoid being on or under slopes over 30 degrees.

Avalanche Discussion

Chilly and calm weather forecasted for the next few days is unlikely to add much to our snowpack issues, but travel in and around the backcountry will likely be bitter and add other inherent risks, bundle up and pack that thermos!

Regions covered