Avalanche forecast

Flathead

Mar 1 – 2, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

It's a challenging snowpack.

Strong winds have left slabs in open features, while persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent wind slab formation has been extensive, and stubborn slabs could extend into openings below treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar, especially at treeline and below.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet avalanches are expected with direct sun and rising freezing levels.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We have higher uncertainty about treeline conditions due to persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, riders encountered extreme winds, whumpfing and shooting cracks extending up to 200 m into lower-angle terrain. Snowpack tests found surface hoar buried 40-60 cm, and easily produced reactive results.

On Thursday, riders triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab on a steep slope from a treed ridge; the crown was 50 cm thick.

Since last weekend, natural, remote, and rider-triggered persistent slab avalanches up to size 3 have failed on all aspects and elevations.

Snowpack Summary

20 cm of recent snow and strong winds produced a variety of pressed surfaces, slabs, and sastrugi in open terrain at all elevations. Steep south slopes may have a thin sun crust.

Within the top 80-120 cm of the snowpack, there are multiple concerning weak layers of surface hoar and/or crusts/facets. The majority of recent persistent slab avalanches have been on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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