Lawinenlagebericht

Swan Range

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Thu
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop. Wet loose avalanches may slide naturally on solar aspects during afternoon heating. Warming temperatures may increase the chances of triggering a slab avalanche on a buried weak layer. Choose conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazards.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Signs of instability (shooting cracks, collapses, avalanches) have occurred every day since January 30th. The culprit is a weak layer of facets or surface hoar buried around a crust. It is buried about a foot below the surface. Riders remotely triggered avalanches up to size 2 (large). Warm temperatures may increase the sensitivity and likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche today.

    The best riding will be on shaded slopes. Unfortunately, that is exactly where this problem is worst. The safest option is to simply stick to low-angle terrain. Avoid traveling under steep start zones, since it is possible to trigger an avalanche from a distance. Human-triggered and natural avalanches will be most dangerous in wind-loaded terrain. You may find good riding in shaded areas where the weak layer is buried less than 6 to 8 inches below the surface.

    (1/30/2026)

    You beautiful, terrifying crystal you. 

    20-40 mm surface hoar is widespread on shaded aspects at the mid- and upper-elevations. 

    Photo: Josh Lipkowitz

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm temperatures and sunny skies will wet the snow surface, causing it to slide. Snow should slide relatively far distances above a smooth, hard crust. Steep and rocky zones will be the first to show signs of warming. Pinwheels and snow dropping from trees are early indicators of a wet loose cycle.

    To start, plan your day to avoid south and west-facing aspects, especially in the afternoon when temperatures and solar input are likely to be strongest. Move to shaded aspects at the first signs of wetting. If you do choose to move to shaded aspects, be sure to read the Persistent Slab avalanche problem discussion.

    (1/15/2026)

    Wet Loose from earlier in the season. Expect similar size avalanches today (small to large). 

    Photo: Guy Zoellner

Avalanche Discussion

A conservative travel plan will make for a pleasant day in the mountains. Low-angle terrain shaded from the sun should offer excellent skiing and riding.

Warm temperatures and solar input will complicate travel conditions today. There will be little room to hide from the threat of avalanches as the day progresses. I’m having a hard time suggesting moving to shaded aspects because I'm most concerned about someone triggering a slab avalanche on those slopes. North and east aspects are where you can find wind-thickened slabs. Those aspects are the hotspot of recent shooting cracks, collapses, and remotely-triggered avalanches.  Again, managing slope angle will be essential. 

There is uncertainty about how warming temperatures will affect the persistent slab avalanche problem. The weak layer is not buried too deeply, so change may be rapid. Warm temperatures may settle the slab on shaded aspects, increasing the likelihood of triggering. As the slab becomes denser with settlement, I suggest putting more distance between yourself and steep terrain. Although I suspect most of the avalanches on south aspects to be wet loose, I won’t be surprised if we see some fail as slab avalanches.

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