Lawinenlagebericht

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Be alert for scattered pockets of hard, drifted snow. Most are small; those above terrain traps could prove hazardous. In today's cold temperatures, minor mishaps could quickly turn serious.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You can find small, isolated slabs of recently-drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. Most are unreactive and most triggered slabs won't be large enough to bury or injure a person. 

    Be alert for the exceptions. Depending on how local terrain channeled the shifting but light to moderate winds of recent days, you may find slabs at mid-elevations, near summits and ridge crests, or midway down chutes and couloirs. A clear sign that you've found an unstable slab is hard snow that cracks under your weight or the weight of your snowmachine. Getting knocked off your machine or sled could be serious if you're above a terrain trap. 

    While we may see slightly higher winds today, there's not much snow available for transport on windward slopes. We're unlikely to see any fresh wind slabs forming except perhaps near the highest summits.

    (1/16/2025)

    The debris of an intentionally triggered soft slab on a wind-loaded slope. Slides like this could pose a hazard where they runout into terrain traps.

    Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

Scattered pockets of wind slab, an outbreak of glide cracks, variable riding conditions, and weakening near-surface snow. Those are the takeaways from recent observations. This means it can be a great time to explore in the mountains before snow returns, buries the weak near-surface snow, and potentially dangerous conditions develop.

Unless you stumble into a wind slab or park under a yawning crack, the most significant hazard today is wind chill and frostnip on exposed ridgelines, or on high-speed morning riding in cold valleys. Your best bet for good riding is shaded, sheltered mid-elevation slopes. If your route there or back takes you across slopes exposed to the sun, bring some patience and a sense of humor. 

Education and Events:

Interested in learning more? Check out our events calendar! There is a Motorized Intro to Avalanches course on Saturday, January 25th.

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