Avalanche forecast

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The best riding conditions are on slopes sheltered from recent winds. If you want to venture out into exposed areas at upper elevations, you may find stiff wind slabs that can break in unexpected ways. Though you may only trigger these in a few locations, their unpredictability can up the ante in consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Old hard wind slabs will sound hollow, and your board, skis, or snowmachine won't sink in much. You'll find them across exposed terrain, though they will be very hard to trigger in all but a few locations. I'd still assess steep chutes, convexities, and unsupported slopes before jumping in. That's where you might still trigger a slab large enough to get you into trouble. You can trigger hard slabs from their thin edges, and they can break above you. Planar, sheltered slopes are lower-consequence and have softer snow.

    (2/23/2022)

    Wind slabs often have a rounded, pillow- or lense-shaped appearance

    Photo: Clancy Nelson

Avalanche Discussion

Early this week, a prolonged period of northeast winds built stiff slabs in unusual places. Since Wednesday, observers have reported hard drifts, 4 to 12 inches thick, on upper elevation slopes that are more typically wind-stripped. Bitterly cold temperatures can prolong wind slab instabilities. The cold has also been keeping folks from venturing too far into the mountains, and we’ve received few observations. But, the information we have shows that wind slabs have been getting more and more difficult to trigger. 

Winds have died down significantly and shifted to the southwest since Wednesday. High pressure will moderate the temperature throughout the weekend. You may only be able to trigger slabs in isolated areas, like steep alpine couloirs, convexities, or on unsupported slopes above cliff bands. Approach that kind of high-consequence terrain with caution and keep an eye out for warning signs like cracking or collapsing in hard, hollow drifts. 

Riders have reported fun, soft snow in sheltered terrain. 

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