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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2025–Feb 21st, 2025
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

The wind is forecast to pick up and the temperature continues to rise. Watch for persistent slabs to become more reactive.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been numerous, small to large (size 1 to 2) dry and wet loose avalanches, both natural- and rider-triggered running in steep terrain over the past few days.

On Tuesday there were two reports of size 1.5 skier and snowmobile triggered persistent slab avalanches on a southeast and northwest aspects in the alpine. See details in this MIN here as well as this MIN here.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of recent snow is sitting on 30 to 60 cm of faceted old snow. Below this is a persistent weak layer consisting of facets and surface hoar buried in late January.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled, with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The late January weak layer is a problem where the snow above it is stiff and slabby. Read more about it in our Blog.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Expect wind slabs to form in alpine tree line lee terrain as the wind picks up through the day.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2