Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It is possible to trigger an avalanche today on steep slopes above 5000 feet. The danger will be highest in exposed terrain holding deeper and stiffer slabs of wind-drifted snow. Shooting cracks, hard over soft snow, and blowing snow are all signs to move to a lower-angle slope.

Storm totals may vary widely, and today’s snowfall totals are very uncertain. If you find more recent snow or experience heavy snowfall while you are out, avalanche danger may be higher on the slope in question. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Favored locations throughout the Whitefish and Flathead ranges have seen nearly a foot of snow in the past two days, with the potential for more today.  

    While the most likely place to trigger a dangerous slide today is in wind-loaded terrain near ridgelines, you should still keep avalanches on your radar in sheltered terrain anywhere you find more than 8 inches of new snow. Probe for how much new snow you’re standing on; where totals are higher, both the likelihood and the size of avalanches go up. Stomp on small, safe test features to see how the snow reacts, and watch for cracking, collapsing, or hard-over-soft snow. Start small, and step back if you see signs of unstable snow. If precipitation rates start pushing an inch an hour and/or you see blowing snow, treat that as a clear warning that avalanche potential is rising fast.

    (2/24/2023)

    This image is a soft slab avalanche in a sheltered location on a convexity. This slide occurred in a previous season, but it is the type of avalanche you may encounter today at middle and upper elevations.

    Photo: md

Avalanche Discussion

Storm totals range from just a few inches to about a foot across the Whitefish and Flathead Ranges. While sustained winds have only just approached transport speeds, gusts in the 30s are more than capable of moving this new snow around in exposed terrain. Snowfall spiked briefly this morning at Big Mountain and in Essex, though it seems to be tapering for now. Depending on where you travel today, you might see only a dusting of new snow or you might pick up another 6 to 8 inches, and whichever scenario plays out in your zone will heavily influence avalanche conditions. Areas along the Flathead Crest toward West Glacier and much of the Northern Whitefish are the most likely to be on the high end. 

This sets up an if/then day. If you find more recent snow, danger is higher. If you see blowing snow, danger is higher. If precipitation rates ramp up again, you get the picture.  With snow levels creeping up to 4000 feet, any new snow that does fall will be heavier and denser than what we got earlier in the storm, creating the potential for an upside-down, slabby structure.

Regardless of what happens during the day, models show another bump in snowfall and winds this afternoon. Even if conditions feel manageable earlier on, be prepared for avalanche danger to rise later.

Regions covered