Swan Range

Generally stable avalanche conditions exist today. If your travels take you to the highest peaks and ridgelines, look for and ride around small slabs of wind-drifted snow. Practice safe travel protocols by riding one at a time in steep terrain.

I have enjoyed the long duration of low avalanche danger, but I am ready for change. Very little change will happen during daylight hours today, thus leading to yet another day of low danger. The welcomed change will begin tonight and will persist into the near future.

Today, expect more of the same avalanche conditions as the past week. Observations from the past week almost entirely consist of no signs of instability (no cracking and no collapsing). Experienced users did find small slabs of drifted snow on Great Northern in the Flathead Range yesterday (Wednesday). Other observations noted drifting snow, but slabs were hard to find or unreactive to the weight of a person. Although wind speeds will increase throughout the day today, there is little amounts of snow available to transport. If you travel into the alpine, ride around small dune-shaped drifts.

So, what changes are occurring tonight? The Swan Range may pick up 4 to 8 inches of snow and an additional 6 to 10 inches tomorrow. The Whitefish Range, Flathead Range, and southern Glacier National Park will likely see the lower end of those snow totals. This active weather pattern will continue through the upcoming week. The pattern shift will bring changing avalanche conditions and rising avalanche danger. Be sure to stay tuned since snow totals may vary widely throughout the forecast region.