THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON February 5, 2020 @ 6:36 am
Avalanche Advisory published on February 4, 2020 @ 6:36 am
Issued by Melissa Hendrickson - Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

bottom line

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. 

How to read the advisory

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

How to read the advisory

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. 

1. Low

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Above Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Near Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

1. Low

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Below Treeline
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
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    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
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We did recieve about 4 inches of light density snow on the tail end of Saturday's storm that got blown around in the very strong winds. Expect to find small wind slabs on the ridges and crossloading in prominent locations.  As the temperatures dropped into Sunday, the winds shifted from the normal SW-S direction to the NW-N, so there is potential to have wind slabs on all aspects at our ridges.  

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I'm not going to sugar coat it, but most of you know this anyway, there is less than stellar riding and sliding conditions out there right now.  Between Friday and Saturday, we had over an inch of water added to the snowpack, all of that in the liquid form. The rain didn't discriminate and left us with a stout ice crust up to our highest peaks.  At the lower elevations, this is a pretty bulletproof crust, but higher around 6000ft it is somewhat breakable.  The surface is very icy right now!  The added weight of the rain and the warm temperatures set off a natural avalanche cycle on Saturday. While I was in the field this weekend, I observed natural slides on the backside of Burke and up St. Regis.  Another bit of bad news is that on Sunday, we were finding widespread surface hoar.  Yesterdays sun knocked a lot of that down, but expect to find surface hoar in sheltered locations. This could be problematic when it gets buried. 

Now for the good news (small amount), this storm was the reset button that we needed right now. The rain saturated the snowpack and the cold temperatures have allowed the snowpack to lock back together.  But more bad news, this surface ice layer is very slippery and we have the potential for poor bonding with the storms that are coming in.  So today, your biggest concern is staying upright on the ice, but tomorrow is a different story. Expect the avalanche danger to rise with the snow we are getting on Wednesday and Thursday.  Mid-week backcountry adventurers, expect your avalanche problems on Wednesday and Thursday to be storm slabs and wind slabs.  

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Spokane NWS
For 2000 ft. to 4000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Patchy Freezing Fog then snow likely and patchy freezing fog snow snow
Temperatures: 27 deg. F. 24 deg. F. 35 deg. F.
Wind Direction: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: 5 6 6
Expected snowfall: <1 in. 3-5 in. 3-5 in.
For 4000 ft. to 6000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Mostly Sunny then Chance snow and breezy Breezy, Snow likely then snow Heavy snow and windy
Temperatures: 16 deg. F. 15 and rising deg. F. 29 deg. F.
Wind Direction: SW SW SW
Wind Speed: 9-18 21-23 22-28
Expected snowfall: <.5 in. 3-5 in. 6-10 in.
Disclaimer

Avalanche conditions change for better or worse continually. Backcountry travelers should be prepared to assess current conditions for themselves, plan their routes of travel accordingly, and never travel alone. Backcountry travelers can reduce their exposure to avalanche hazards by utilizing timbered trails and ridge routes and by avoiding open and exposed terrain with slope angles of 30 degrees or more. Backcountry travelers should carry the necessary avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche probe or probe ski poles, a rescue beacon and a well-equipped first aid kit.  For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (208)765-7323.