Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Steer away from small pockets of wind-drifted snow on exposed ridges, open bowls, and cross-loaded gullies. Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Cold temperatures can complicate any rescue effort. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent reports of wind-affected snow have mostly featured thin crusts and hard slabs from previous southwesterly winds. Slabs have been isolated, small in size, and unreactive to the weight of a rider aside from an intentionally triggered slab in the Northern Whitefish Range. 

    Winds shifted to northeasterly yesterday morning  but tapered throughout the day. Observations did not notice any blowing snow onto southwesterly slopes. Wind speeds could increase throughout the day and/or change directions. Expect to find fresh wind slabs where the snow isn't locked down by surface crusts especially if you notice blowing snow. 

    Identify areas of wind-affected snow by their rippled surface texture or dune shaped features. Look for these clues along exposed ridges, below saddles and further down-slope in cross-loaded gullies. Soft slabs cracking around your feet or machine indicate that slides are possible on steep slopes. Hard slabs can support the weight of a rider and have a hollow, drum-like sounds. They may not provide clear signs of instability and can break wider than expected or well above you. Move to less steep, or more sheltered terrain to avoid these hazards. 

    (1/16/2025)

    The debris of an intentionally triggered soft slab on a wind-loaded slope.

    Photo: Ryan Minton

Avalanche Discussion

Arctic air made a surprisingly graceful entrance into the advisory area yesterday (Friday). Winds actually tapered throughout the day and the reliably windy Aeneas Ridge experienced calm conditions for 8 consecutive hours overnight.  This unexpected lapse in wind limited the formation of fresh wind slabs.  

Durable snow surfaces have also limited wind transport, as well as the quality of riding (obs 1, obs2, obs 3). Recent wind, sun, freezing rain and rime have left us with an extremely variable and often hard snow surface. However, there are still some stashes of well-preserved powder in terrain unaffected by these spoilers. If you are fortunate enough to find a zone with soft surface snow, keep an eye out for active wind-transport. Where you notice blowing snow, you can expect to find thin, soft slabs growing.  Elsewhere, today's risk assessment will probably be dominated by slick access/exit routes and cold-related hazards. 

Education and Events:

Interested in learning more? Check out our events calendar! There is a Motorized Intro to Avalanches course on Saturday, January 25th.

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