Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Westerly winds and new snow are building wind slabs above 6000 feet. As you travel, look for dune-shaped pillows, cracking under your skis and machine, or feel changes in the density of the snow. Give yourself an early Christmas present and choose to ski and ride in more sheltered locations, avoiding wind-stiffened snow.

Locations that received less recent snow will have a lower danger. These include the mountains in the southern Whitefish Range, the Apgar Range, and possibly central Glacier Park.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The storm has ended, but favored locations have plenty of snow for transport. Wind speeds have been unusually light, but we expect slabs of wind-drifted snow may be found on the downwind side of a ridgeline or saddle and the sidewalls of cross-loaded gullies. Their size and thickness will increase as you gain elevation. Evidence that winds have been at work includes scoured or scalloped surfaces, dunes, and snow denser than what you previously moved through. Cracking beneath your feet signifies you have found an unstable slab. 

    In areas favored by Saturday's snowfall, you may encounter slabs of snow on slopes sheltered from the wind. Cracking in the surface indicates you should retreat to a lower-angle slope.

     

    (12/19/2023)

    The windloading on the Swan Crest has been just enough the last few days to produce isolated windslabs.

    Photo: guy zoellner

Avalanche Discussion

 

Yesterday’s early Christmas storm overperformed in parts of the Flathead Range, the northern Whitefish Range, and the Swan Range. Tunnel Ridge weather station recorded 10 inches of snow, Stahl Peak gained 0.7 SWE (snow water equivalent), and Noisy Basin picked up 1 inch of SWE. The least amount of snow was in the southern Whitefish Range, where WMR reported 2 inches.

An observer in the northern Whitefish confirmed snowfall ranged from 4 to 8 inches and noted dry loose slides that ran far on the underlying crust. They also observed one small soft slab avalanche. I was in the Apgar Range yesterday, where I found 3 inches of moist new snow at 6400 feet. 

We are continuing to list wind slab as today’s primary hazard but, due to the overproducing storm, have bumped the danger level up across the board. Yesterday (Saturday), thin storm slabs may have formed in areas favored by snowfall. However, most of the precipitation ended early or mid-day yesterday, giving these features a bit of time to heal. Dry loose slides may be the most common avalanche you encounter today. These will have the ability to travel fast and far on the underlying crust. Manage your sluff, especially in long-running gullies. Limit your time spent above terrain traps if you encounter this problem.

From our partner Whitefish Mountain Resort: Due to unfavorable snow conditions and increased pressures from holiday visitation, Whitefish Mountain Resort and the U.S. Forest Service are implementing a pause on all uphill skiing traffic within the resort's boundaries, effective Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25.

 

 

 

Regions covered