Avalanche danger remains high
A snowpack observer shows surface hoar.
Photo courtesy IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER)
SANDPOINT — New snow, warming temperatures, rain and high winds are coalescing to create high avalanche danger in the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges, according to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.
The center issued an avalanche warning which urges backcountry travelers to avoid slide-prone terrain and said human-triggered slides are certain due to the confluence of recent weather and snow conditions.
The avalanche danger is rated "high" below, at and above the tree line, according to the advisory, which also applies to the Bitteroot Mountains.
"Recent heavy snow combined with rain and wind will likely create widespread areas of unstable snow," the warning said.