Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You can find safe and quality riding in areas sheltered from southwest winds. Avoid areas where you see active wind loading. If you choose steep terrain - even slopes sheltered from the wind - expose only one rider at a time.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There are two generations of wind slabs. The first one will form throughout the day as new snow and increasing winds form thin, soft slabs on the leeward side of ridges and gullies. The second generation formed late last week. This one is a more widespread, 1- to 2-foot thick hard slab, though it has gained strength over the last few days of mild weather.

    Travel Advice: Look for terrain sheltered from the wind. Avoid areas showing signs of active wind loading, as these are also where thick, hard slabs exist under the new snow. If you decide to step out into steep terrain, choose slopes protected from the wind that do not end in a cliff, a stand of trees, or a gully, since even a small slide can have serious consequences.

    (12/19/2025)

    This D1, human-triggered soft slab avalanche breaking a foot deep occurred on 12/19 in the backcountry near WMR. 

    Photo: Brandon Phillips

Avalanche Discussion

Observations generally describe a positive trend in stability. On Saturday, riders triggered small, soft slabs up to a foot thick in the southern Whitefish Range. The same day, Josh and Mike found a fairly widespread wind slab problem in the Flathead Range. By Sunday, observers found no signs of unstable snow, and we received no reports of avalanches. Thank you to everyone who submitted observations this weekend. It helped make this trend clear.

Overnight, 1 to 4 inches of snow fell across the forecast area, with another 1 to 3 inches possible today. The Swan and Flathead Ranges received the most snow overnight and will likely continue to get the most precipitation today. Winds from the southwest will increase to 10 to 20 mph throughout the day.

New slabs of drifted snow will likely be sensitive to a person's weight but relatively harmless in size if triggered. I am more concerned about the thicker, harder slabs that formed late last week during the intense wind event. Although older wind slabs are trending towards being unlikely to trigger, the consequences are more severe. Triggering an avalanche in the new snow may step down and trigger a larger avalanche. Seeking out terrain sheltered from south and west wind will offer the safest and best riding experience.

Regions covered