Use this page to view archived advisories. The table below shows the overall danger rating and the bottom line for the 20 most recent advisories. Click on the time and date link above each danger rating icon to view the full advisory for that day. Use the date chooser or the pager at the bottom to scroll through the older advisories.
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Click here to see the full advisory for 2022-02-04 February 4, 2022 at 7:00 ![]() |
Currently a fairly stable snowpack with isolated areas of windslab that sits on a weak surface hoar layer that will be come more reactive with expected increasing snow and winds today. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-12-04 December 4, 2020 at 12:22 ![]() |
Regular avalanche advisories will begin on December 18th. Avalanche conditions will be posted to the web for the Cabinet-Selkirk area, Kootenai N.F. and the Silver Valley on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 7 A.M. See discussion below for current conditions. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-12-04 December 4, 2020 at 12:22 ![]() |
Regular avalanche advisories will begin on December 18th. Avalanche conditions will be posted to the web for the Cabinet-Selkirk area, Kootenai N.F. and the Silver Valley on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 7 A.M. See discussion below for current conditions. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-12-04 December 4, 2020 at 12:22 ![]() |
Regular avalanche advisories will begin on December 18th. Avalanche conditions will be posted to the web for the Cabinet-Selkirk area, Kootenai N.F. and the Silver Valley on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 7 A.M. See discussion below for current conditions. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-11-12 November 12, 2020 at 18:04 ![]() |
The Idaho Portion of our forecast region is under a Winter Storm Warning for tonight and Friday. The Kootenai forecast region in Montana is under a Winter Weather Advisory for the same time period. The next round of weather is expected to bring heavy amounts of snow to the high country beginning Thursday night. High winds are forecast tomorrow with strong gusts likely. This will set up the first potential for avalanche conditions this year, mostly at the highest elevations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-11-12 November 12, 2020 at 18:04 ![]() |
The Idaho Portion of our forecast region is under a Winter Storm Warning for tonight and Friday. The Kootenai forecast region in Montana is under a Winter Weather Advisory for the same time period. The next round of weather is expected to bring heavy amounts of snow to the high country beginning Thursday night. High winds are forecast tomorrow with strong gusts likely. This will set up the first potential for avalanche conditions this year, mostly at the highest elevations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-11-12 November 12, 2020 at 18:04 ![]() |
The Idaho Portion of our forecast region is under a Winter Storm Warning for tonight and Friday. The Kootenai forecast region in Montana is under a Winter Weather Advisory for the same time period. The next round of weather is expected to bring heavy amounts of snow to the high country beginning Thursday night. High winds are forecast tomorrow with strong gusts likely. This will set up the first potential for avalanche conditions this year, mostly at the highest elevations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-28 March 28, 2020 at 7:04 ![]() |
As of March 26th, IPAC has ended backcountry avalanche forecasting due to the Idaho and Washington stay-at-home orders. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-28 March 28, 2020 at 7:04 ![]() |
As of March 26th, IPAC has ended backcountry avalanche forecasting due to the Idaho and Washington stay-at-home orders. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-28 March 28, 2020 at 7:04 ![]() |
As of March 26th, IPAC has ended backcountry avalanche forecasting due to the Idaho and Washington stay-at-home orders. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-27 March 27, 2020 at 5:21 ![]() |
Last advisory of the year!! Current snowpack conditions are looking stable overall. With some light snow accumulations this past week, and strong southwest winds yesterday, it will be possible to trigger pockets of windslab at upper elevations. Use caution in steep terrain on north and easterly aspects, steep rolls and chutes. These will be the spots to be wary of this weekend |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-26 March 26, 2020 at 16:29 ![]() |
As of March 26th, IPAC has ended backcountry avalanche forecasting due to the Idaho and Washington stay-at-home orders. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-26 March 26, 2020 at 16:29 ![]() |
As of March 26th, IPAC has ended backcountry avalanche forecasting due to the Idaho and Washington stay-at-home orders. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-24 March 24, 2020 at 7:41 ![]() |
The avalanche danger is starting out low today but will increase as the storm moves in. The new snow is falling on a variety of slippery surfaces so watch for loose avalanches. Expect windslabs to build as the new snow gets pushed around. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-20 March 20, 2020 at 6:37 ![]() |
As the temperatures heats up during the sunny days, expect the avalanche danger to rise. Wet, loose slide potential is a danger that is easy to mitigate: when you start seeing rollerballs or sinking in slushy snow, it's time to head out of avalanche terrain. And give those cornices a wide berth, they start failing as the temperatures heat up. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-20 March 20, 2020 at 5:15 ![]() |
New snow from last weekends storm will be your main concern right now. In very steep terrain (over 35°) it will be possible to trigger avalanches in the upper 6-10" of the snowpack. On due north aspects these slides will come in the form of loose-dry slough or thin soft slabs. On solar aspects expect to trigger wet slides in steep terrain as the afternoon sun warms the surface. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-19 March 19, 2020 at 14:22 ![]() |
I'm sorry we had to close up shop early this year but spring is tomorrow and I'll leave you with some Spring Touring Tips that everyone can use. I'll also update you on our snowpack conditions. Even though we had a short winter, by my standards, things are looking pretty good in the high country so there is plenty of snow to continue riding and sliding. Melissa and Ben will submit advisories through March. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-16 March 16, 2020 at 18:14 ![]() |
Kootenai avalanche advisories will be posted on Friday mornings for the rest of March. With the closing of Montana schools I will be unable to venture into the mountains on Mondays. I will however provide the best intel I can regarding snow conditions without a hazard rating attached. This info will be based on weather and my tracking of the winters' snowpack. My apologies for the interuption in the Tuesday morning advisories! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-13 March 13, 2020 at 7:22 ![]() |
Consolidated snowpack conditions with extreme upper elevations on NNE aspects having some wind slabs. Surface crusts are widespread due to sun affect this past week. More snow coming with NE winds and cold temperatures. Expect windslabs on thin crust this coming weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-13 March 13, 2020 at 6:53 ![]() |
It's been a slow week for weather, but that's about to change! As I'm typing a cold front is moving in. Expect snow surface conditions to change quite a bit in the next 24 hours. NOAA has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING effective 5PM this afternoon to 11 AM Saturday. Expect strong N winds and heavy/blowing snow. Sounds like our Spring teaser is about to end! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-13 March 13, 2020 at 6:25 ![]() |
Expect to find good stability with a few lingering wind slabs on Friday. As the cold system rolls in Friday afternoon and starts delivering snow, expect the avalanche danger to increase for Saturday. Before stepping out check the stability at your location, the new snow is going to fall on a variety of surfaces. And don't forget to pack your puffy jacket, temperatures are taking a big downward swing! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-13 March 13, 2020 at 5:33 ![]() |
Big change is coming on Friday. A strong cold front will bring an additional foot of snow and strong northeasterly winds to the mountains area wide. Anticipate the buildup of wind slabs and drifts at all elevations this weekend. Use caution in all steep and open terrain that has been exposed to the wind. Shooting cracks, drifting snow and increases in the surface density will be your obvious clues to pay attention to this weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-10 March 10, 2020 at 6:52 ![]() |
Low danger does not mean no danger! Watch for lingering, small wind slabs on leeward terrain. When the sun is out, the potential for the southern aspects to heat up enough for loose wet avalanches is a possibility. Be on the lookout for changing snow conditions. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-10 March 10, 2020 at 6:48 ![]() |
Low danger does not mean no danger! Watch for lingering, small wind slabs on leeward terrain. When the sun is out, the potential for the southern aspects to heat up enough for loose wet avalanches is a possibility. Be on the lookout for changing snow conditions. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-10 March 10, 2020 at 6:24 ![]() |
Powder. It's out there and deeper than I expected. Surface conditions across the landscape are variable due to sun and warmer temperatures. Due north still holds powder snow but also the surfacehoar layer. It is well bonded now but still intact. Use caution on steep, convex northerly terrain. Springlike conditions are beginning to happen. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-10 March 10, 2020 at 5:30 ![]() |
Buried surface hoar will continue to be your main concern in the Purcells and West Cabinets on the shady side of the mountian right now. On southerly aspects pay attention to the possibility of small loose-wet slides when the sun comes out |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-06 March 6, 2020 at 6:38 ![]() |
Firm wind hammered and crust conditions with some chalky snow conditions in isolated hard North aspects that were protected from mid week winds. 5-9 inches expected by later Saturday will be the primary concern keeping in mind that there are currently stubborn persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-06 March 6, 2020 at 6:04 ![]() |
The persistent weak layer is gaining strength, but still check its stability in your location. It's buried about a foot deep on sheltered northern aspects. Watch for new wind slabs and storm slabs as new snow rolls in on Friday night through Saturday. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-06 March 6, 2020 at 5:20 ![]() |
Pay attention to steep and open timber on the shady side of the mountain right now. This where you may be able to trigger an avalanche on the buried surface hoar that is lurking out there. 4-9" of new snow is forecast to fall by Saturday afternoon above 5,000'. Pay attention to how this new snow is setting up on Saturday and Sunday and be alert to the potential for thin storm slabs to develop. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-03 March 3, 2020 at 6:46 ![]() |
Winter is back again and so is fresh snow. The new snow has fallen on a variety of surfaces, so be sure to check your location. Watch for small wind slabs on leeward slopes that will be sensitive to human triggers. On the northern, protected aspects, the buried surface hoar is still located in isolated pockets, check your location before you commit to bigger terrain. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-03 March 3, 2020 at 6:46 ![]() |
Yesterday in the Cabinets I found good sliding conditions but a little crusty on the southerly slopes. Not much stability concerns on these slopes due to multiple crusts in the upper pack. However, on Lunch Peak I found two very distinct layers of buried surface hoar on a north aspect. Be careful on steep, convex terrain on NE - N - NW aspects. The wind has cranked up too so watch for windslabs on these aspects too. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-03-03 March 3, 2020 at 5:31 ![]() |
WIth mild temperatures and minimal snowfall our snowpack continues to strengthen. Pay attention to steep and open timber on the shady side of the mountain right now. This where you may be able to trigger an avalanche on the buried surface hoar that is lurking out there. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-28 February 28, 2020 at 7:02 ![]() |
Stable temperatures and a calmer atmosphere has allowed the snowpack to strengthen in most areas. Mother nature has kept us on our toes this winter. We've encountered many different problems in the snowpack and seen the snowpack's ability to go from very weak to super stable and back quickly. Currently to 2 forces driving our snowpack stability are wind and warming temperatures. Read more to see below to see how they're both effecting the snow. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-28 February 28, 2020 at 7:02 ![]() |
Stable temperatures and a calmer atmosphere has allowed the snowpack to strengthen in most areas. Mother nature has kept us on our toes this winter. We've encountered many different problems in the snowpack and seen the snowpack's ability to go from very weak to super stable and back quickly. Currently to 2 forces driving our snowpack stability are wind and warming temperatures. Read more to see below to see how they're both effecting the snow. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-28 February 28, 2020 at 6:19 ![]() |
As the temperature rises today, the snowpack will become more unstable. Look for rollerballs as an indicator that it has wamed up and to stay out of avalanche terrain. We still have a lurking buried persistent weak layer on our cooler, sheltered aspects. Dig down to assess the location where you are in to see if it is there. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-25 February 25, 2020 at 6:44 ![]() |
With over a foot of snowfall at the highest elevations between Sunday and Monday, expect to find sensitive wind slabs on the leeward slopes. Watch for storm slabs and make sure to check your locations to see what the interface between the new and old snow is. Weather is calm for the next couple of days, so it should help the snowpack stabilize. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-25 February 25, 2020 at 6:34 ![]() |
Snowfall continued in the Cabinets yesterday and it amounted to about a foot of light powder in the last 24 hours as of yesterday afternoon. Watch for windslabs at the ridges and be aware that the buried surface hoar layer we found in the Selkirks is buried about 18 inches deep on sheltered aspects. Manage your terrain and you'll have great sliding. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-25 February 25, 2020 at 6:34 ![]() |
Snowfall continued in the Cabinets yesterday and it amounted to about a foot of light powder in the last 24 hours as of yesterday afternoon. Watch for windslabs at the ridges and be aware that the buried surface hoar layer we found in the Selkirks is buried about 18 inches deep on sheltered aspects. Manage your terrain and you'll have great sliding. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-21 February 21, 2020 at 7:19 ![]() |
Soft snow conditions consisting of preserved good quality snow from last weeks storms. Cool temperatures and light winds have created ideal surface snow conditions with soft snow on top and getting more dense as you go down to the hard ice crust a foot and a half down. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-21 February 21, 2020 at 6:33 ![]() |
Stable weather for the past several days has helped the snowpack settle and bond. Expect to find point loose wet slides when the sun heats up the southern aspects. Isolated wind slabs still remain at the highest ridges. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-21 February 21, 2020 at 4:56 ![]() |
Wind slabs from earlier in the week have become stable and resistant to triggering. There are some persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack but are showing a low likelihood of propagating into an avalanche. Use extra caution in the mountains of the Purcell Range (NW Peaks area). Elevations above 6,500' in the Purcells will have the highest potential for human triggered avalanches at this time. Read on for details!! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-18 February 18, 2020 at 7:02 ![]() |
New snow and wind have been loading the snowpack this past weekend. Have some extra caution on wind loaded slopes. The prevailing winds were out of the Southwest so look for most of the new loading on northeast through southeast slopes. Cornices have grown quite a bit as well. Be aware of your location when approaching cornices. Enjoy the sunshine! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-18 February 18, 2020 at 7:02 ![]() |
New snow and wind have been loading the snowpack this past weekend. Have some extra caution on wind loaded slopes. The prevailing winds were out of the Southwest so look for most of the new loading on northeast through southeast slopes. Cornices have grown quite a bit as well. Be aware of your location when approaching cornices. Enjoy the sunshine! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-18 February 18, 2020 at 5:38 ![]() |
Fresh snow from the weekend and westerly winds this past week have created wind slabs on steep, leeward terrain above treeline. Wind loaded slopes below ridgelines and cornices are where you will find trouble if you go looking for it. The new snow is also resting on potentially weak or smooth surfaces out there that have the potential to slide in terrain steeper than 35°. Details below!! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-14 February 14, 2020 at 8:06 ![]() |
Breezy winds have blown out the surface hoar on exposed slopes and firm bed surface exists due to Feb 1 ice crust and wind effect. Sheltered areas may have small surface hoar formation. New snow on the way with forecasted accumulations through the weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-14 February 14, 2020 at 8:06 ![]() |
Breezy winds have blown out the surface hoar on exposed slopes and firm bed surface exists due to Feb 1 ice crust and wind effect. Sheltered areas may have small surface hoar formation. New snow on the way with forecasted accumulations through the weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-14 February 14, 2020 at 5:22 ![]() |
A series of storms will bring modest snow accumulations to the mountains through Monday. This new snow is forecasted to arrive with strong southwest winds. Expect to find thin and reactive slabs on north and east aspects that will build in thickness and hazard throught the weekend. These slabs will be most concerning at upper elevations where the new snow will rest on a very firm bed surface that has been packed and scoured by strong winds this past week. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-11 February 11, 2020 at 6:56 ![]() |
Snow storms continue to move through the area. Expect to see some flurries in the morning and partly cloudy in the afternoon. The snowpack has adjusted well to the snow over the past couple days. The ice crust which controlled the snow surface for the past 10 days is pretty much buried at this point. Be aware of newly wind loaded areas |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-11 February 11, 2020 at 6:26 ![]() |
A weak interface with the Feb 1st crust is still reacting to human triggers in some of the shadier locations. Take the time to assess your location to see if this is located where you are riding or sliding. Expect wind loaded north and east aspects and give them a wide berth while they heal. Weather is stable for the next couple days, so we don't expect the problems to change midweek. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-11 February 11, 2020 at 4:55 ![]() |
Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep terrain on north and east aspects that have been loaded in by southwest winds. Be on the lookout for snow that has drifted into pockets in steep chutes, steep convex rolls and below ridgelines. These will be your likely spots to find trouble in the next couple of days. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-07 February 7, 2020 at 6:43 ![]() |
The upper two feet of the snowpack is riddled with crusts now due to the wildly changing temperatures since mid-January. There are some weak layers that could be problematic where they are buried deeper or get buried deeper after the next round of snow. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-07 February 7, 2020 at 6:40 ![]() |
Expect to find lingering storm slabs and wind slabs from the first round of storms that hit us Wednesday - Thursday night. Avalanche danger will increase by Saturday morning as we get hit by another 6 to 10 inches Friday night. Expect to find sensitive storm slabs and wind slabs on Saturday. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-07 February 7, 2020 at 5:27 ![]() |
For Friday anticipate the possibility to trigger small pockets of dense wind slabs above 6,000' in elevation where northwest winds have deposited loose surface snow onto southerly aspects. By Saturday morning the avalanche danger will likely rise with a predicted storm expected to bring 8-12 inches of new snow to the mountains and strong southwest winds. New snow may bond poorly with the existing surface in many locations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-04 February 4, 2020 at 6:36 ![]() |
Significant rainfall saturated our snowpack on Friday and Saturday up to our highest elevations. Now that the temperatures have dropped again, the pack has locked up and left us with low avalanche danger. There is a nasty crust on the surface across the whole advisory area that could be a poor bonding surface for the next snow. Expect avalanche danger to rise for Wednesday and Thrusday as the next round of snowstorms hit us. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-04 February 4, 2020 at 5:37 ![]() |
Rain soaked our snowpack on Friday and Saturday up to 7,500'. This left us with LOW avalanche danger, a very hard crust layer and less than pleasant riding conditions. Anticipate a possible change going into Wednesday as modest amounts of snow begin to fall on this ice crust. New snow will bond poorly to this crust layer and possibly result in increasing avalanche danger on Wednesday and Thursday. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-02-03 February 3, 2020 at 17:00 ![]() |
The warm weather and rain from Friday and Saturday has created a firm crust on all aspects and all elevations in the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains today. The avalanche hazard is low but that will change with the new snow and wind in the forecast this week. Read on. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-31 January 31, 2020 at 6:41 ![]() |
There are multiple weak layers in the uper two feet of the pack right now. The warmer temperatures today and tomorrow will weaken those layers and rain will add weight. Natural avalanches could be possible today and tomorrow. It might be a good weeekend to watch a football game or something. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-31 January 31, 2020 at 6:29 ![]() |
The snowpack does not not like rapid changes, especially a rapid increase in weight piled on top of buried weak layers. We are getting a rapid increase in weight due to rain, and then snow and wind on top of several buried weak layers. Natural avalanches may be possible and human triggered avalanches are likely on Friday and Saturday. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-31 January 31, 2020 at 5:32 ![]() |
Warm temperatures and rain up to 7,500' are being forecast for Friday afternoon. Anticipate avalanche danger to rise on Friday at all elevations. Avoid avalanches by avoiding be on or below steep terrain on Friday and Saturday. Natural avalanches may be possible and human triggered avalanches are likely on Friday. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-28 January 28, 2020 at 6:36 ![]() |
With a variety of surfaces out there, including crusts up to 6000ft, expect to trigger wind slabs and storm slabs in the new snow that fell yesterday and today. The avalanche danger will stay elevated over the next couple days as we are predicted to keep recieving snow. New snow takes a couple days to stabilize after a storm. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-28 January 28, 2020 at 6:23 ![]() |
The Selkirks and Cabinet mountains continue to be in an active weather pattern. Another period of unsettled weather will begin today and carry through the weekend. The avalanche danger will increase as the new snow arrives. Always assume the new snow will increase the avalanche danger. New snow usually takes a couple days after a big snow, to adjust to the old snow . I'd expect the avalanche danger to trend up over the next 48 hours. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-28 January 28, 2020 at 5:29 ![]() |
Expect to trigger windslabs on steep and open terrain on all aspects. Wind slabs will be most dangerous in cross-loaded gullies, chutes and leeward terrain below ridgelines where the surface snow has been deposited into a deep and cohesive slab. This problem can be avoided by staying in the sheltered timber locations and avoiding the steep and open areas through the week. This will also give the new storm snow time to settle out and bond with the existing snowpack. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-24 January 24, 2020 at 6:24 ![]() |
A warm storm hitting our area will continue to add heavy, dense snow to our higher elevations (above ~5500ft) and rain below. Expect to see small loose wet slides at the lower and middle elevations. At the upper elevations expect to see dense storm slabs that are forming over the weaker lighter snow from last weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-24 January 24, 2020 at 5:19 ![]() |
Warm temperatures and moisture will continue to add snow to the mountains above 5,000' and rain below. Expect to see small "loose-wet" slides at lower elevations. At upper elevation dense storm slab avalanches are possible in open and steep terrain (over 35°). Primary areas of concern are southerly exposures in the Cabinet Wilderness where the new snow is falling on a sun-crust layer that developed last weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-23 January 23, 2020 at 17:16 ![]() |
Hazard rating of Moderate on upper elevations with slopes greater than 35 degrees due to expected snowfall today and temperatures at or near freezing. The new snow may be heavy and dense on top of a few inches of heavy wet snow from yesterday that sits atop softer snow from last week. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-21 January 21, 2020 at 6:58 ![]() |
Another winter storm is on the door steps! Strong winds and snow will start today around 10 AM. This winter storm could produce 35'' of snow by the weekend. The snow from the last 7 days has settled down a bit and seems to be increasing strength. I expect all of the new snow, in the coming days, to ruin the snowpacks healing trend. Expect to see the avalanche danger start to rise with the arrival of this storm. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-21 January 21, 2020 at 6:10 ![]() |
Stable weather has allowed the snowpack to gain strength, expect to find low conditions for Tuesday. Use normal avalanche caution to evaluate before you ride exposed terrain. Expect danger to increase on Wednesday due to the new snow coming in Tuesday afternoon and night. This will cause storms slabs and wind slabs. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-21 January 21, 2020 at 5:48 ![]() |
Stable snowpack conditions will be found across the area on Tuesday. By Tuesday evening anticitpate the Avalanche Hazard to rise as modest amounts of storm-snow are forecast to fall Tuesday afternoon and evening. Thin storm slabs will likely develop and slide easily on the existing snow surface by Wednesday. Pay close attention to south and west aspects going forward where there is now a crust layer at all elevations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-17 January 17, 2020 at 6:17 ![]() |
There is alot of new snow out there. You'll find deep powder conditions on all aspects. Watch for weak layers in the upper two to three feet, some may be associated with windslabs. We did to find anyting too nasty in the last weeks storm snow. Normal caution is advised. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-17 January 17, 2020 at 6:01 ![]() |
With small amounts of snow and light winds predicted throughout the weekend, expect to find soft storm slabs and wind slabs. While these won't be very thick, they will still have to ability to sweep a skier/snowboarder off their feet or take a snowmobile out from under a rider. Don't let your game down just because the advisory isn't flashing red anymore. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-17 January 17, 2020 at 5:15 ![]() |
Be on the lookout for the potential to trigger wind slabs in steep terrain below ridgelines and cornices. There is extensive evidence of wind loading in the mountains and these wind slabs are becoming less reactive with time. Recent Storm snow is quickly settling and gaining strength but still has potential to fail at upper elevations. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-14 January 14, 2020 at 6:53 ![]() |
The snowpack is currently recovering from the recent storms. The Cabinet and Selkirk mountains received well over 3' of snow, which added a huge load and increased the avalanche danger. Currently we're seeing the snowpack heal and gain strength back from the big weight added last week. Even though the snowpack is healing, there are still plenty of instabilities to be aware of. Cold temperatures and small snow storms will dominate the weather pattern for the rest of the week. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-14 January 14, 2020 at 6:13 ![]() |
Storm snow from the past weekend is starting to stabilize but still has potential to trigger avalanches. Watch out for wind slabs on steep terrain below ridges and cornices. We have a break in the weather so conditions should continue to stabilize. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-14 January 14, 2020 at 5:24 ![]() |
Expect to easily trigger wind slabs on steep terrain below ridgelines and cornices. Storm snow from this past weekend is quickly settling and gaining strength but still has potential to fail at upper elevations. Expect avalanche danger to decrease through Wednesday as the new storm snow has time to settle out and bond. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-11 January 11, 2020 at 7:57 ![]() |
Heavy snowfall and strong winds entered the area on Friday and will continue to impact the mountains of North Idaho and Northwest Montana throughout the weekend. Avoid riding on or below steep terrain this weekend as the new storm will be easily triggered. Avalanche paths and runouts will also be of concern as slides could step down to deeper weak layers and run long distances. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-11 January 11, 2020 at 7:57 ![]() |
Heavy snowfall and strong winds entered the area on Friday and will continue to impact the mountains of North Idaho and Northwest Montana throughout the weekend. Avoid riding on or below steep terrain this weekend as the new storm will be easily triggered. Avalanche paths and runouts will also be of concern as slides could step down to deeper weak layers and run long distances. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-11 January 11, 2020 at 7:57 ![]() |
Heavy snowfall and strong winds entered the area on Friday and will continue to impact the mountains of North Idaho and Northwest Montana throughout the weekend. Avoid riding on or below steep terrain this weekend as the new storm will be easily triggered. Avalanche paths and runouts will also be of concern as slides could step down to deeper weak layers and run long distances. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-10 January 10, 2020 at 6:32 ![]() |
The snowpack has started to settle, but this period will be brief. Another very large storm is hitting the region today, expect the avalanche danger to rise by Saturday morning. Still expect to find storm slabs and wind slabs out there today. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-10 January 10, 2020 at 5:02 ![]() |
For Friday the Avalanche Danger will be rated as Considerable with the potential to rise by Saturday morning due to another storm system entering the area. Avoid terrain over 35° particularly on north and east aspects where winds have loaded steep slopes. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-09 January 9, 2020 at 18:10 ![]() |
Snowfall starting Friday morning and continuing through Monday will be heavy and rapid which will increase avalanche danger throughout the forecast area. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-08 January 8, 2020 at 6:06 ![]() |
A strong winter storm continues to produce heavy snow and wind across the forecast area. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Strong winds combined with new snow will create an unstable snowpack on all aspects above treeline. Travel in the backcountry is not recommended |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-08 January 8, 2020 at 5:57 ![]() |
Heavy mountain snowfall and strong winds continue to create conditions for HIGH avalanche danger today! Expect these dangerous conditions to remain elevated through the middle of the week. Avoid riding on or below any slopes steeper than 30° during this time period. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-08 January 8, 2020 at 5:42 ![]() |
Continued high avalanche danger due to rapid loading with new snow and wind slabs over the buried persistent weak layers. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Expect conditions to stay elevated through mid week. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-07 January 7, 2020 at 6:37 ![]() |
A strong winter storm is producing heavy snow and wind across the forecast area. 2 ft of snow is already on the ground (above 4500'). The rain/snow line is currently hovering around 3800-4000'. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Strong SW winds combined with new snow will create an unstable snowpack on all aspects above treeline. Travel in the backcountry is not recommended |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-07 January 7, 2020 at 5:55 ![]() |
Heavy mountain snowfall and strong winds will create conditions for HIGH avalanche danger today! Expect these dangerous conditions to remain elevated through the middle of the week. Avoid riding on or below any slopes steeper than 30° during this time period. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-07 January 7, 2020 at 5:49 ![]() |
High avalanche danger due to rapid loading with new snow and wind slabs over the buried persistent weak layers. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Expect conditions to stay elevated through mid week. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-03 January 3, 2020 at 6:37 ![]() |
Snowpack conditions are becoming highly variable with regard to aspect and elevation. Your biggest concern is colder snow on north aspects that hold a weak layer below the current surface crust. Use caution on steep, complex terrain on northerly aspects. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-03 January 3, 2020 at 5:54 ![]() |
Complicated weather makes for complicated snowpack layers. Simplified, there are lots of windslabs and crossloading out there, with more forming over the weekend. We have a multitude of buried persistent weak layers, the most reactive being a buried surface hoar layer from earlier this week. Avoid both these problems by riding conservative terrain. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2020-01-03 January 3, 2020 at 5:29 ![]() |
There is a alot of variance in the snowpack and some tricky weak layers across the area right now. Storm slabs resting on buried surface hoar will be the primary concern and may become more sensitve on Friday if the temperatures rise at mid-elevations. Stick to lower angle terrain and take the time to assess the snowpack before committing to steep slopes. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-31 December 31, 2019 at 6:52 ![]() |
Happy New Year! 2020 is going to be welcomed by a strong winter storm! A strong winter storm showed up in the panhandle last night. This storm looks like it will linger around until the weekend. Expect to see 30'' of snow above 5000' by the weekend. Even though the avalanche danger is pretty tame right now, I expect it will increase with the new snow. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-31 December 31, 2019 at 6:05 ![]() |
Out with the old and in with the new...doesn’t exactly translate to snowpack and avalanche risk. Still of concern are our persistent weak layers. They are getting more stable, but could be woken up again with new loading. Wednesday will bring us some different problems to consider for the first day of 2020; storm slabs and windslabs. Expect the avalanche danger to rise as the next storm cycle hits. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-31 December 31, 2019 at 5:33 ![]() |
Our current snowpack conditions are very stable but that will begin to change by Tuesday night. A winter storm will bring 1-2 feet of fresh snow and strong winds out of the southwest which will cause avalanche hazards to rise by Wednesday. Be on the watch for fresh storm slabs and wind slabs at tree-line and above throughout the week! |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-27 December 27, 2019 at 6:42 ![]() |
Our main concern is still buried persistent weak layers that have the potential to slide to ground. Areas where the ground surface is smooth, such as beargrass slopes, have a higher probablity of sliding if an avalanche is triggered. We expect to continue to see reactive persistent weak layers for a while with the weather pattern that we are experiencing. Bottom line is we have a thin and weak snowpack. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-27 December 27, 2019 at 6:11 ![]() |
The snowpack is still recovering from 8'' of water in a 48 hour period last weekend. The large amount of water increased the avalanche danger significantly but since then we're trending towards a more stable snowpack. Look for cooling temperatures heading into the weekend. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-27 December 27, 2019 at 5:40 ![]() |
The snowpack has bonded well after last weeks storm. The biggest threat right now will be small windslabs in steep terrain at elevations above 6,500' on northeasterly terrain near ridgelines. Continue to use caution in high terrain where the snowpack appears to be thin and rocky as these may be locations where deeper weak layers may be senstitive to human triggers. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-24 December 24, 2019 at 6:33 ![]() |
The storm system that rolled through over the weekend wasn't exactly what we were hoping to get for Christmas. Above 6000' we are still seeing reactive basal facets. Below 6000', the snow pack is still stabilizing after recieving so much moisture. Temperatures are starting to be more winterlike again, so that should help lock up the lower elevation snowpack. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-24 December 24, 2019 at 6:07 ![]() |
Put away the rain gear. The temperatures have dropped, winds are calm, and the snowpack has settled. A new rain crust has formed near the surface and about 6 inches of new snow sits on top of that with a decent bond to the crust. Use caution in steeper terrain at elevations above 6,000 feet. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-24 December 24, 2019 at 5:26 ![]() |
Avoid steep terrain above 6,000' on north and east aspects. It will still be possible to trigger the recent storm snow in these locations and triggering small windslabs will be likely on high, steep terrain. These winds slabs and storm slabs will decrease in sensitivity during the week as temperatures return to seasonal normals and the winds subside. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-20 December 20, 2019 at 7:45 ![]() |
Heavy, dense snow as well as some rain hit the region last night on top of the lighter snow we recieved yesterday. This creates an upside down pack that will take time to stabilize, especially in shallower areas where there are buried persistent weak layers. The winds have been steady so expect to find windloading as well. |
Advisory | |
Click here to see the full advisory for 2019-12-20 December 20, 2019 at 6:56 ![]() |
Winter just got kicked into full gear! A strong winter storm arrived yesterday and continues to drop a big snow and rain on the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains. A large heavy snowload will put stress on the underlying weak layers in the snowpack. The snow/rain line looks to be at 4500' |
Advisory |