Avalanche forecast

Whitefish Range

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human-triggered avalanches have occurred over the past three days, most large enough to bury and injure a person. Triggering an avalanche failing 1-2 feet deep remains possible on steep slopes, especially those with steep breakovers. Enjoy the excellent riding conditions on lower-angled slopes, or slopes that don't terminate in a stand of trees, gully, or cliff band. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    It remains possible to trigger avalanches failing 1 to 2 feet deep. Slabs are becoming more stubborn to triggers and observations from yesterday (Monday) generally describe a strengthening snowpack. 

    Avoid steep slopes above things that are harder than your body - trees and rocks - or that can lead to deep burials - gullies and roadbeds. If you want to avoid the problem altogether, then choose lower-angled slopes. 

    (12/28/2024)

    Crown of a skier-triggered soft slab in the Canyon Creek area, adjacent to WMR.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Recent storm totals are stressing weak layers buried 1 to 3 feet deep. Avalanches that fail on these layers can be released by debris from avalanches involving the new snow, or by a rider on steep slopes. Common trigger points are steep rollovers or spots where the snowpack is thinner. An avalanche failing in the old snow will be difficult to escape and potentially deadly.

    Avoid this problem by sticking to slopes with lower slope angles and avoid traveling in the runouts of large avalanche paths. Give the snowpack time to adjust before stepping out into consequential terrain.

    (12/30/2024)

    A rider triggered avalanche that failed on facets buried in mid-December. 

    Photo: Cam Johnson

Avalanche Discussion

There is much to celebrate today: New Years, new snow, cool temperatures, and light wind. The combination of it all can make for a wonderful day in the mountains IF you manage the terrain correctly.

Celebrate the new powder snow by sledding in gladded meadows or sliding down slopes with lower slope angles that are free of overhead hazards. Be especially conservative in your terrain selection if you head into the Flathead or Swan Ranges, where the recent storm exceeded forecasted snow totals. The snowfall over the past 48 hours in Noisy Basin is in fact a record for December at that site, and exceeded to 100th percentile for the model forecasts Monday morning. In the Whitefish Range, precipitation tapered off sooner, and less snow fell, which is the reason for a Moderate Danger rating in that forecast zone.

This weekend, human-triggered avalanches plagued the southern Whitefish Range. Although observations from yesterday (Monday) suggest the snowpack is gaining strength, we are still within a time window that these recent slides should be a key consideration in your terrain selection.

Observations from Monday in the Flathead and Swan Ranges generally describe a Loose Dry avalanche problem. An experienced rider was able to push down some sluff that entrained enough snow to knock someone off their feet. As the storm snow settles and consoidates, triggering slab avalanches involving the new and recent snow will become the primary consideration.

The snowpack is not yet over a stress test in parts of the forecast area. Give it time to heal before venturing out into steep terrain.

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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 doublecheck danger ratings and travel advice on the drive to the trailhead or in the backcountry. 

Events and Education:

Want to start your New Year on the right foot? Sign up for a Partner Rescue Clinic for motorized Riders on January 4. Check out our calendar for other upcoming events. 

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