Lawinenlagebericht

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Wintry avalanche conditions have returned. If snow and wind continue as forecast, dense slabs of new and drifted snow will form throughout the day. These will be more dangerous where 8 inches or more snow falls, and in steep leeward terrain where the wind will drift thicker and stiffer slabs. Your spidey senses should be on alert as you gain elevation and see heavy snowfall or blowing snow. Dial back your slope angles if you see cracking in the snow around you.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Dense slabs of new and drifted snow will be forming throughout the day. They may bond poorly to old surfaces like crusts and chalky dry snow. They will be bigger where 8 inches or more of new snow falls. They’ll be more sensitive where the wind stiffens them below ridgelines and in chutes. Watch for heavy snowfall and blowing snow as the first signs that slabs are building in the surrounding terrain. Cracking in the new snow means they are reactive to the weight of a rider. To avoid triggering an avalanche, choose slopes less than about 35 degrees as you gain elevation and more snow falls. Give growing cornices a wide berth.

    (4/7/2021) Debris from recent avalanches. Terrain like this will be a prime candidate for avalanches breaking at the new/ old snow interface today.

Avalanche Discussion

Up to 8 inches of new snow and moderate wind are bringing back wintry avalanche conditions. The convective nature of spring storms means that snowfall could vary from drainage to drainage. So pay close attention to the changing conditions around you. 

Dense slabs will develop on top of a variety of spring snow surfaces. Above about 6,000 feet, northerly aspects were still harboring dry snow through Wednesday. Some of it was soft, and some of it was chalky and wind affected. On solar aspects, and below 6,000 feet on shady aspects, new slabs may be forming on slick crusts left over from recent melt-freeze cycles. The snowpack has diminished significantly below about 5,000 feet.

Big, hard cornices will grow along ridgelines. These can trigger avalanches on the slopes below if they fall. 

Glide cracks have been getting wider as the whole snowpack slides over the wet, smooth ground below. One of these cracks released as a glide avalanche on Monday. Stay away from glide cracks and out from under them.

Pro Tip: Guide your ride with your observations about the avalanche hazard. Storm-day excitement, especially after a dearth of powder, can lead you into trouble.

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