Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Pay attention to the snow's surface and continue to make ongoing assessments while you travel. Moist snow or an unsupportable crust indicates that the snow is becoming less stable. Minimize exposure to overhead hazards and be wary of shallow, rocky areas within the snowpack.

Yesterday’s spring sunshine enabled mountain weather stations to climb into the upper 30s and 40s Fahrenheit. These temperatures were likely the highest these areas had seen in the past month and consequently increased the likelihood of wet snow instabilities. However, with a lack of observations, we are uncertain as to the extent of what wet avalanche activity occurred and if areas saw additional signs of spring avalanche problems, such as cornice falls or failing glide cracks. This morning, the widespread surface crust may be a bit less supportable due to slightly warmer overnight temperatures. 

Today’s mostly cloudy skies will likely keep temperatures cooler and limit wet instabilities. This spring’s prolonged cooler-than-normal temperatures have made for a generally stable snowpack that seems unusually quiet for late March. We anticipate that today you will likely encounter a surface crust on all aspects except the northern aspects above 5500 feet. The slim chance of snow tonight will likely not impact the low avalanche danger. Keep in the back of your mind that we’ve been tracking buried persistent weak layers for the majority of the winter. Although the Persistent Slab problem is unlikely, it is not impossible to trigger such a slide. As such, be wary of shallow rocky areas within the snow and approach these thin spots with caution and awareness.

As we end the month of March, checking in on the snowpack, the Flathead Basin is 96% of the 1991-2020 median for snow water equivalent (SWE). All 5 SNOTEL sites within our forecast area are now below the median.

• Northern Whitefish Range: Grave Creek is 96% and Stahl Peak is 79%
• In central Glacier Park: Flattop is 79% 
• Hungry Horse Reservoir: Emery Creek is 78% 
• In the northern Swan Range: Noisy Basin is 98%

FOFAC Event: March 30th, 2023– Whether chasing tan lines, big lines, or both, you'll learn something valuable from FAC Lead Forecaster Mark Dundas about spring avalanche problems, how they differ from winter problems, and how to manage them. We will also discuss current conditions and concerns (or lack thereof!) with our spring snowpack. Enjoy a cold brew from Bias Brewing and a scoop from Sweet Peaks Ice Cream. The event is free and open to everyone. Begins at 6 pm.