THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON March 14, 2020 @ 6:25 am
Avalanche Advisory published on March 13, 2020 @ 6:25 am
Issued by Melissa Hendrickson - Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

bottom line

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!

How to read the advisory

St. Regis Basin/Silver Valley

How to read the advisory

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!

2. Moderate

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Above Treeline
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

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.
    Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

Watch for small, sensitive wind slabs on the leeward slopes.  For Friday, these will be in our traditional loading zones of the NW-E aspects. The storm coming in will be dominated by East winds, so late Friday and into Saturday and Sunday expect wind slabs on the opposite side of the ridge than we normally find them!  

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On Thursday we travelled to Lower Glidden Lake up Burke.  We found good stability on all aspects with only small wind slabs that were easy to mitigate with ski cutting.  This morning I expect to find good stability.  But we have a storm coming in that will make our avalanche danger increase for late Friday and Saturday. First, the snow is going to be light density (dropping temperature) accompanied by winds strong enough to transport snow.  This means more wind slab formation.  Secondly, yesterday there were a variety of snow surfaces out there; some sun crusts, some wind crusts, some surface hoar, some graupel, and some powder.  The new storm is going to come in cold, meaning that it might not bond as well to the underlying surface as a typical March storm would. Before stepping out into bigger terrain, check your location to see how well the new snow is bonding.  This may change from location to location and aspect to aspect, so don't let your avalanche awareness slack.  

If you are out and about this weekend, I'd love to see your observations. Fill one out on our website or send me a message through the social media pages.  Website address: https://www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org/observations

 

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Spokane NWS
For 2000 ft. to 4000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Chance Snow and Breezy Snow and Patchy Blowing Snow Snow Likely and Patch Blowing Snow then Slight Chance Snow
Temperatures: 35 deg. F. 13 deg. F. 25 deg. F.
Wind Direction: E E E
Wind Speed: 7-12, then 15-20, G28 11-18 11-17
Expected snowfall: <.5 in. 1-3 in. 1 in.
For 4000 ft. to 6000 ft.
Friday Friday Night Saturday
Weather: Snow Snow and Patchy Blowing Snow Snow and Areas Blowing Snow
Temperatures: 21 and dropping deg. F. 3 deg. F. 10 deg. F.
Wind Direction: E E E
Wind Speed: 9-14 14-20, G28 18
Expected snowfall: 1-3 in. 3-7 in. 1-3 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.