Flathead Range & Glacier NP

The avalanche danger is low. Overnight freezing temperatures will continue this spring's melt-freeze cycle. Pay attention to the surface of the snow as warm daytime temperatures and solar radiation will increase wet instabilities. Minimize your exposure to overhead hazards and be wary of shallow, rocky areas within the snowpack.

Today’s weather is forecasted to be mostly sunny, with increasing afternoon clouds. The current pattern of cooling overnight temperatures after warm spring days has continued our melt-freeze cycle. Most solar aspects in our region have a surface melt-freeze crust. The primary outlier to the crust is shaded northerly aspects, generally above 5500 feet, where the surface snow has not warmed.

Yesterday (Tuesday) was no exception to the spring diurnal cycle. The Hornet weather station reported reaching 40 degrees F at 2 pm. This is after receiving 2 inches of new snow overnight. Likewise, the Flattop weather station also reported 2 new inches of snow, followed by daytime temperatures reaching 35 degrees F. Although we do not have any observations of small loose wet avalanches, I suspect that both these areas had some, be it small, wet avalanche activity. In the Flathead Range yesterday, my partner and I found melt-freeze spring conditions. We could still see the fracture line of a very large persistent slab avalanche that failed on March 2nd. Although unlikely, it is a reminder that there are buried weak layers within our snowpack. Give yourself a margin for error and approach shallow rocky areas with caution, above 5000 feet.

Besides wet avalanche activity, cornice failure and glide cracks are two avalanche problems to keep fresh in your mind.

• Cornices
  • Large cornices hanging over ridgeline slopes tend to fail during the heat of the day and deserve a wide berth, both from below and while traveling along ridges.
• Glide cracks
  • Glide cracks continue to be reported throughout the region and are expected to widen as the whole snowpack slides over the wet, smooth ground below. Staying away from glide cracks and out from under them is the best and only travel advice.

FOFAC Event: March 30th, 2023– Whether chasing tan lines, big lines, or both, you'll learn something valuable from FAC Lead Forecaster Mark Dundas about spring avalanche problems, how they differ from winter problems, and how to manage them. We will also discuss current conditions and concerns (or lack thereof!) with our spring snowpack. Enjoy a cold brew from Bias Brewing and a scoop from Sweet Peaks Ice Cream. The event is free and open to everyone. Begins at 6 pm.