THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON January 22, 2020 @ 6:10 am
Avalanche Advisory published on January 21, 2020 @ 6:10 am
Issued by Melissa Hendrickson - Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

bottom line

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.    

How to read the advisory

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

How to read the advisory

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.    

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: Persistent Slab
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

There are still several buried persistent weak layers down in the snow. In pit tests they have still been reacting in compression tests, but not propegating. It is unlikely to trigger these layers, but it is important to know that they are still out there.  

recent observations
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Yesterday we found stable conditions while we were touring in the West Willow area. We've had multiple days in a row of stable temperatures and no snow which has helped the snowpack strengthen, bond and settle. Our boot and ski penetrations got progressively shallower over the weekend, showing the settling snowpack trend.  After two day of sunshine and vitamin D, we have a variety of surface conditions out there right now.  On the SE-S-SW sides a sun crust has developed, with temperatures warming up enough to even get rollerballs at the mid elevations.  This could prove to be a slippery bonding surface, so expect the avalanche danger to rise for Wednesday. We have also been having inversions and we found evidence of that in surface hoar present in the mid elevations in shaded, protected areas on the north sides. At Willow, the surface hoar started to disappear around 5500ft.  This has potential to be probelmatic if it gets buried in-tact during the snow today and tonight. Expect avalanche danger to increase for Wednesday to include windslabs on the North aspects as well as storm slabs.  Snow totals aren't predicted to be very high, but they are enough to give you a ride that can have really bad consequences. 

 

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: Rain then rain/snow snow likely chance snow then chance rain/snow
Temperatures: 37 deg. F. 32 deg. F. 35 deg. F.
Wind Direction: S SW SW
Wind Speed: 5-7 7-9 5-7
Expected snowfall: <.5 in. 1-2 in. <.5 in.
For 4000 ft. to 6000 ft.
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Weather: Snow and windy snow and windy snow likely and breezy
Temperatures: 31 deg. F. 24 deg. F. 26 deg. F.
Wind Direction: S SW SW
Wind Speed: 15-25 23-25 22
Expected snowfall: 2-4 in. 3-5 in. 1 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.