Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Recent wind and new snow continue to form sensitive drifts along alpine ridges. Seek out sheltered terrain if you find slabs cracking around your feet or machine. There is a slim chance a rider could cause a large avalanche on shaded slopes above 6500 feet in elevation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A shot of new snow and southwesterly winds have provided more fuel for the wind slab machine. Observations from yesterday (Wednesday) noted blowing snow mostly above 6500 feet. Look for slabs of wind-stiffened snow along ridges and cross-loaded gullies. You can identify drifts by their scalloped surface or dune-shaped features. Cracking around your feet or machine indicates that these slabs are sensitive to the weight of a rider and should steer you to less steep and/or more sheltered terrain. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    It's been over one week since the last reported avalanche activity on weak layers buried 2-4+ feet deep. Persistent weak layers appear to be gaining strength and are at a depth difficult for a human to trigger. You are unlikely to trigger a slide where a thick and supportable crust exists just below the surface.

    Here are some options if you’re intent on traveling where this problem is present:

    • Choose planar slopes less than 35 degrees
    • Avoid common trigger points like convex rollovers and rocky areas where the snowpack appears thin and variable

    Although the chances of triggering a slide on buried weak layers are low, the consequences remain severe.

    (3/7/2024)

    This is a view of a small section of the crown of a large hard slab avalanche triggered by snowfall and intense wind loading. This slide likely failed on a layer of buried facets above the early February crust. 

    Photo: Mark Dundas

Avalanche Discussion

We’ve been through a lot in the last two weeks: rapid and prolonged warming, a cycle of very large avalanches on persistent weak layers, atypical northeasterly winds, etc. Currently, we are trending back toward the familiar territory of incremental snowfall, threshold southwesterly winds, and a lingering persistent slab problem. Though conditions are becoming simpler, recognize that familiarity is often accompanied by complacency. Continue to do your due diligence, particularly as you travel above 6500’.    Today starts a bit warmer than yesterday and the cloud cover could thin out early in the afternoon. Monitor the new snow throughout your travels and choose simpler terrain if you find it transitioning to wet. Expect this change to occur most rapidly on steep and rocky, south-facing slopes particularly if the sun pokes out. The resulting activity will likely be confined to the new snow and produce only small slides. However, these can still be dangerous if they push you over cliff, rake you through trees, or deposit you in a gully where even small amounts of snow can pile up high.    Event Announcement: Join us tonight for our spring workshop night, with a State of the Snowpack & the Scoop on Spring Touring presented by Lead Forecaster Mark Dundas. You'll leave with a better understanding of current conditions, spring avalanche problems, and how to plan a successful day out this time of year. 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Scout's Grille, 27 Scout Lane, Columbia Falls (Hwy 40). Ice cream will be provided by Sweat Peaks. Free to attend, no sign-up required.

Regions covered