Avalanche forecast

Swan Range

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A couple of inches of fresh snow and strong winds will form thin slabs that will be sensitive to the weight of a human. Look for and steer around areas of active wind loading. Seek out terrain sheltered from the wind.

An Avalanche Watch is in effect. Expect very dangerous avalanche conditions to develop in the next 24 to 48 hours. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    A few inches of dense snow and strong winds will form thin, hard slabs on the leeward side of ridges, gullies, and saddles. New snow is falling on a firm crust, increasing the potential for avalanches to travel long distances.

    A thin, hard slab can easily wipe you off your feet. Simply avoid this problem by sticking to terrain sheltered from southwest winds. Cracking around your skis or boards is a sign you’ve found a slab. Use small, inconsequential test slopes to gauge how sensitive the new snow is. Identify and steer around areas of active wind loading.

    (12/7/2025)

    This image is of cross-loaded gullies. The arrows indicate the wind-direction. Note the scoured rock and snowy gullies. I'd expect to find hard slabs of wind-drifted snow in gullies today. 

    Photo: Michael Reavis

Avalanche Discussion

We have issued an Avalanche Watch with the expectation of reaching HIGH avalanche danger by tomorrow morning. IF the precipitation forecast verifies, new snow and strong winds will create very dangerous avalanche conditions.

Today’s avalanche forecast relies on the precipitation forecast. Precipitation favors the Flathead Range, Whitefish Range, and Glacier National Park (4 to 8 inches), with another 5 to 10 inches overnight. The Swan Range will pick up 1 to 3 inches today and 5 to 10 inches overnight. Precipitation should start around noon, becoming heavy at times. Wind speeds are well above thresholds for transporting new snow into stiff slabs. Snow densities will increase throughout the day, making the storm snow “upside-down,” and potentially more sensitive to the weight of a person or machine.  

Because the avalanche danger rests on the shoulders of the precipitation forecast, if snow totals don’t reach forecast amounts throughout the day, expect the avalanche danger to be one step lower in each forecast zone. If we get skunked on snow, or if you head out first thing this morning, the only problem you should have to manage is isolated wind slabs in the upper reaches of the forecast zone.

Regions covered