Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It is possible to trigger a large avalanche failing 1 to 3 feet deep. Although the weak structure exists on all aspects above 5000 feet, west-south-east aspects are proving to be the most dangerous. Warm temperatures may cause another round of wet loose avalanches. The safest and best riding is on lower-angle slopes above 6500 feet that face north.

We’ve received 6 reports of human-triggered avalanches in the last week. Most were large enough to bury a person, and one resulted in a rider partially buried with their sled fully buried.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Reports of large avalanches failing 1 to 2 feet deep continue to trickle in from this weekend. Avalanches are being triggered remotely and being triggered by the second or third rider on the slope. Feedback is inconsistent, and the individuals who triggered avalanches saw no signs of instability (whumpfing or shooting cracks) before triggering.  

    The safest option for managing this problem is by choosing lower-angled terrain. However, IF you choose to ride in steep terrain, hedge your bets on planar slopes with smooth runouts. Avoid riding in consequential terrain that funnels into rocks, trees, or cliffs. Only expose one rider to steep terrain at a time.

    (1/10/2026)

    A photo take of a large snowmobiler triggered avalanche in the northern Whitefish Range. Mid-elevations slopes that face west, south, and east are the hot spots of human-triggered avalanches. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Warm temperatures may cause wet loose avalanche activity today.  If the sun pokes out, solar aspects will quickly become unstable. Rollerballs are your indicator of an impending wet loose avalanche cycle. Move to shaded aspects, or move to lower-angle terrain. If high-level clouds persist, I’d expect to see minimal natural avalanche activity. Sunshine and warm temperatures may increase the threat of triggering a more dangerous persistent slab avalanche. Refer back to Persistent Slab for travel advice.

    (1/12/2026)

    Rollerballs and pinwheels due to moistening surface snow at mid elevations. Rollerballs are the precursor to an impending wet loose avalanche cycle.

    Photo: Michael Reavis

Avalanche Discussion

A weak layer of facets resting over a crust buried 1 to 2 feet deep is the culprit of many human-triggered avalanches over the last week. Here are some patterns that we are seeing:

  • Reported avalanche activity is on southwest to south to east-facing slopes between 5000 and 6500 feet.
  • Avalanche activity favors the Whitefish Range with one report in the Swan Range.
  • Avalanches are being triggered remotely (from a distance).
  • Avalanches are failing with precious tracks on the slope or on adjacent slopes.
  • Half of the reported avalanches were large enough to bury and injure a person.
  • Snowpit test results are inconsistent, and signs of instability are sparse with human-triggered avalanches nearby.

So what should we do with this information? Recent avalanches are the red flag we need to pay attention to, and there is no shortage of those. The weak layer is buried at a depth where feedback will not rear its head until it is too late. The facet/crust combination exists in many areas, but avalanche activity is more specific. This adds to the uncertainty of the distribution of the problem. To be transparent, our forecasting team has stepped back from riding in steep terrain for the moment. We are on a trend towards stability, but I don’t think we are out of the woods until this heat wave is over.

Weather factors that will affect avalanche conditions today include warm temperatures and cloud cover. Freezing levels are on the rise today, and the forecast is calling for upper-level clouds. However, if the sun makes an appearance, I’d expect to see rapidly changing conditions on solar aspects, given the high freezing line. Forecasting cloud cover is challenging, so you’ll have to “now-cast” those throughout the day. If you see the sun, move to shaded slopes or lower-angle terrain. 

Howling winds have transported snow into slabs throughout the last week. Riders are finding small pockets of wind-drifted snow on leeward facing terrain. Ride around areas where you see dune-shaped drifts or textured surfaces. 

Regions covered