Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Skirt around thin slabs of wind-drifted snow at upper elevations.

The avalanche danger may rise overnight with new snow and wind. Safer riding will be in terrain sheltered from southwest winds. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Observations describe 1 to 3-inch wind slabs at upper elevations. Slabs of drifted snow are small and difficult to trigger. Winds will increase in speed today. In most locations, there is not enough snow available for transport to build fresh slabs.

    Steer around small slabs of drifted snow at upper elevations. Slabs will feel stiff and hollow. Cracking around your feet or machine is an unstable sign. Slabs of wind-drifted snow will be small and harmless by themselves. Be alert if you ride in consequential terrain since triggering a little hard slab could knock you off your feet.

    (1/22/2025) Significant stomping cause minor cracking in 3” wind slab (loaded from typical SW winds) at an exposed ridge top. Photo: Lydia

Avalanche Discussion

Observations continue to describe a stable snowpack. Riders did trigger some thin, shooting cracks yesterday (Wednesday). These were only a few inches thick and mainly occurred in wind-drifted snow.

Continue to practice good travel habits, especially if you are entering complex avalanche terrain.

  • Only expose one rider to steep terrain at a time.
  • Position spotters in safe locations.
  • Carry your beacon, shovel, and probe.

The avalanche danger may rise tonight if snow accumulations exceed forecasted amounts. Unfortunately, precipitation numbers for tonight’s storm have been downgraded to 1 to 3 inches. Wind speeds will be near thresholds for transporting snow. Slabs of wind-drifted snow sitting on weak, sugary facets will be sensitive to the weight of a rider or machine. Due to the underlying faceted snow, slabs may propagate wider than you expect and be more sensitive than the typical wind slab. 

Glide cracks litter the landscape; a handful have released as glide avalanches. Yesterday, we observed two glide avalanches during our trip up to Red Meadow in the northern Whitefish Range. The key takeaway is don’t park or dawdle under open glide cracks.

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