Avalanche forecast

Swan Range

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The Swan Range appears to have been skunked by Saturday's storm, with just a little new snow. The most significant hazard will be thin slabs of wind-drifted snow at upper elevations. Cracking in the pillow-like features identifies an unstable slab.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Although the Swan Range may have only received minimal new snowfall, moderate to strong southwesterly winds, continue redistributing this snow into thin slabs at upper elevations. These features will be found beneath ridgelines or saddles and in cross-loaded gullies. Due to the intense wind speed (Aeneas Ridge averaged 34 mph with a gust of 74 mph), these formations may be further downslope than usual. 

    Look for a scalloped snow surface, tear-shaped drifts, and pillow-like forms to identify where the wind has been at work. Today's wind will point in the direction they are forming. Cracking in the surface indicates instability, directing you to seek out sheltered or lower-angle terrain. 

    (11/26/2024)

    Westerly winds blowing snow into the Shed 7 West Avalanche Path, John F. Stevens Canyon.

     

     

    Photo: Adam Clark

Avalanche Discussion

Feast or famine. Saturday's storm was unusual in its distribution. The northern Whitefish Range was walloped with an impressive 2.6 inches of SWE (Snow Water Equivalent) and a foot of settled snow, while the WMR ski area in the southern part of the range picked up a half inch of water and 4 inches of snow. The typically soggy Noisy Basin in the Swan Range picked up a measly inch or two. Uncertainty lies with the Flathead Range and southern Glacier Park, where an inch of water fell, but snow stations only show up to 5" of new snow. We assume that upper elevations may have ten or more inches of fresh snow. Moderate to strong winds blew overnight, redistributing this snow.

Dangerous avalanche conditions formed in the northern Whitefish Range, central and southern Glacier, and the Flathead Range due to the copious moisture and wind. Due to the impressive precipitation intensity, we assume there was a natural avalanche cycle overnight in the northern Whitefish. Natural avalanche activity could occur today due to the ongoing wind loading. Above treeline, a human-triggered avalanche is likely today in areas that received eight or more inches of new snow. We recommend staying off of and out from under any loaded steep slopes at upper elevations. 

Did you hear about the app? You can now access our region's forecasts, observations, and weather data directly from the Avy App (IOS; Android). Many features are accessible offline, so you can win debates about the avalanche problems right in the backcountry or submit an obs while driving home. 

Registration is open for this season's avalanche courses. Get some learning done!  There's an Avalanche Awareness class on Wednesday, December 11th, at 6:00 pm at the Stonefly Lounge in Coram.

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