Avalanche forecast

Selkirk 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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The arrival of March feels like the arrival of Spring! Yesterday, the mountains were warm and melting on the snow surface started. Don’t let the warm weather and good visibility get you off of your game. I know many of us want to get into steeper terrain but it’s not time yet. I feel like a broken record talking about the deep problematic snow layers, but mother nature doesn’t care that we’re feeling impatient. Stay vigilant!

Spring is coming and I anticipate more stability and safer travel conditions in the future. For now, continue to put a lot of thought into your terrain choices. The most avalanche prone areas in the mountains will be open slopes above 25 degrees, leeward sides of ridges and slopes above treeline with stiff wind slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    The buried surface hoar from Feb 6th is still reactive. Even though the snow above the weak layer is deep and stiff, if a snowmobile or skier find the thin spot in the slab, it can trigger a large avalanche. We're seeing human triggered avalanches occuring almost daily. There have been multiple close calls and 1 fatal avalanche this past week.  Most of the incidents that we've heard about had multiple tracks on the slope before it gave way. Don't base your terrain choices on the number of tracks on a slope...it could be misleading.  This problem is mostly found on open steep (above 25 degrees) slopes near and above treeline. Windloaded areas close to ridges are red light areas as well. 

    The surface hoar is the thin grey line at the bottom of the fracture line.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Stiff wind slabs are creating big deep slabs near ridge tops. The wind slabs are creating the potential for high consiquence, large destructive avalanches.  Most leeward slopes in our region will be found on SE-E-NE-N-NW slopes.

    Debris from a wind slab that failed causing an avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

On Saturday there was an avalanche fatality near Tiger Peak in Idaho. Avalanche forecasters in Idaho are performing an investigation and more info will be coming soon. In the meantime, keep family and friends of the victim in mind and remember this can happen to any of us that play in the mountains, no one is expempt and we all make mistakes. 

This year has been a tricky time related to avalanche concerns and the number of avalanche deaths continues to rise with February being one of the deadliest months in U.S. history. Good snow stability will come in time; but, don't rush it. Take your time and make good objective decisions. There was an avalanche reported near Roman Nose in the Selkirks and up Taft in the Silver Valley, triggered by snowmobilers. This is a good time to practice safe travel techniques. Don't test mother nature right now!

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