Flathead

Buried persistent weak layers continue to drive the hazard. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid slopes with overhead exposure.

Fresh wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

While reports of avalanche activity have tapered, the snowpack structure remains a concern.

Both wind and persistent slabs remain triggerable by riders.

Light new snow and strong winds may build wind slabs at upper elevations. At lower elevations, rain has likely created a supportive surface crust.

Multiple weak layers of surface hoar/crust/facet combinations may be present within the upper meter of the snowpack. The late January surface hoar layer is buried 40–90 cm deep and has been responsible for most recent avalanches, primarily in steep, sheltered terrain at treeline and below. Reactivity appears lower near the ski hill and in the Lizard Range, but riders are still sporadically triggering it elsewhere across the region.

Saturday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.