Lawinenlagebericht

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

A poor overnight surface refreeze and near record-setting warm temperatures will destabilize the snowpack. The chances of triggering an avalanche will increase with each passing hour. Plan your day to avoid steep slopes on all aspects as soon as the snow surface begins to soften.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Cornices

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Cornices mostly remain intact after a week of warm temperatures. Today will be the warmest. Move very quickly under faces with large cornices hanging over them or avoid them altogether. If traveling on ridgelines, stick to the windward side and give the edge an extra-wide berth today.

    (3/26/2022)

    Large cornices remain intact. They hang over terrain that recently produced very large (D3) size avalanches. 

    Photo: Cam Johnson

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Freezing levels will climb to roughly 10,000 feet this afternoon. Plan your day to avoid being on or under steep terrain by late morning. Be especially mindful of north-facing aspects where the surface snow may still be dry and will get wet with warm temperatures. Plan a safe exit with no overhead exposure during the afternoon in case this warming event produces natural avalanches.

    (3/24/2022)

    Recent warm temperatures and solar input initiated slides large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person.

    Photo: Mark Dundas

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–3

    Weak layers 1 to 3 feet below the surface remain a threat. Very large avalanches were observed in the Flathead Range and the Whitefish Range in the past week. The avalanche that Jenny and I observed yesterday in the Whitefish Range ran through trees and into flat terrain. A cornice fall or a wet loose slide could trigger one of these massive avalanches. Be wary of being on or under steep terrain later in the day. 

    (3/26/2022)

    A large Persistent Slab avalanche on Link Mountain. This slide failed during the second day of a warming trend after a night with a poor refreeze. Debris crossed the Red Meadow Road.

    Photo: Jenny Cloutier

Avalanche Discussion

A possibility of record-setting warm temperatures will occur today. Freezing levels will climb to roughly 10,000 feet, which is above the highest peaks in the forecast area. Last night many stations remained above freezing or just barely dipped below freezing. Cloud cover may have inhibited radiative cooling, also contributing to less of a refreeze overnight.

 

Warm temperatures and a superficial refreeze will offer a very short window for travel in steep terrain. IF there is a crust this morning, expect low avalanche danger to start the day. That crust will break down quickly this morning with warm temperatures, causing the avalanche danger to rise. Move off and out from under steep terrain once the surface becomes wet. Safe travel today is all about timing and assessing surface conditions. 

 

Do you know that we produce a text and video weekly summary of snowpack, weather, and avalanche conditions? You can find this in the Conditions Blog below the Bottom Line or here. Megan, the FAC March intern, wrote this week's summary before heading back to grad school in Oregon.

 

Join us for our last education event of the season. Topics Class! The Scoop on Spring Touring, Wednesday, April 6th, 6:30 to 7:30. No registration is necessary for this in-person event.

Abgedeckte Regionen