Bulletin d’avalanche

Bitterroot

West Central Montana Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Fri
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 7 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Wet loose avalanches will become possible on sunny slopes this afternoon. Watch for signs of instability, like rollerballs, point releases, or fresh wet snow avalanches. If you see these or are sinking into mushy, wet snow, it is time to exit avalanche terrain or move to shaded slopes. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–1.5

    Small, human-triggered wet loose avalanches will become possible on steep, sunny slopes by this afternoon. Many areas will have a melt-freeze crust at the surface this morning that will break down during the day. Some areas at middle elevations did not drop below freezing last night. The typical progression of wet loose avalanches involves rollerballs and small point releases leading to larger wet loose avalanches. 

    If you find yourself in mushy, wet snow or start seeing rollerballs, it is time to step back out of avalanche terrain and be aware of what terrain is above you. You can also move to cooler, shaded slopes to find drier snow. Remember that even small avalanches can have serious consequences, especially in extreme terrain.

    (1/13/2026)

    Natural rollerballs on the south face of Glen Lake Peak

    Photo: Arden Feldman

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Unlikely
    Taille
    1–2

    Isolated areas at upper elevations still have poor snowpack structure. Weak layers of concern include small facets buried 1-1.5 ft deep and facets below a crust 1-2 ft deep. We have no reports of avalanches on these layers, but we’ve gotten propagation on them in snowpack tests. Regardless of the weak layer, you are unlikely to see obvious signs of instability, like cracking or collapsing, before triggering a persistent slab avalanche. Sunshine and warm temperatures could make the persistent slabs more sensitive today. Consider digging down and looking for weak layers before committing to a line. Strong over weak snowpack structure or propagating extended column tests indicate you should avoid slopes over 30 degrees.

Avalanche Discussion

A classic case of Juneuary! The last few days have been downright hot, with some middle elevations reaching nearly 60 degrees yesterday. Today will be a little bit cooler, but still just as sunny. Peak wet avalanche sensitivity has likely passed, but with the sunshine and warm temperatures, wet avalanches are still a concern today. The avalanche danger will start at Low this morning and rise, likely reaching Moderate by the afternoon. Time your day to avoid large, steep sunny slopes in the afternoon. 

Glide cracks have opened up on isolated slopes throughout the region. Glide avalanches are very difficult to forecast or understand due to their unpredictability. The time between a crack opening up and the avalanche failing can vary from minutes to months. Avoidance is the answer. If you see open glide cracks, do not travel underneath them. 

Wind slabs that formed during last week’s snowfall and strong winds have generally become unreactive. However, isolated stubborn pockets of wind slab could still exist in wind-loaded upper elevation terrain. Take a step back if you see signs of instability like cracking or collapsing. Cornices could also weaken and become more sensitive due to the sunshine and warm temperatures. Give them a wide berth. 

Remember that even small avalanches can have serious consequences. Couloirs, chutes, long avalanche paths, cliffs, and exposed rocks or trees increase your risk. If you decide to step out into steeper terrain, be sure to use safe travel practices, such as riding one at a time and regrouping in safe zones. 

Avalanche education is a lifelong journey built on developing sound judgment, gaining experience, and applying repeatable decision-making systems in the backcountry. Our American Avalanche Association (A3) recognized Level 1, Rescue, and Level 2 courses are offered throughout the winter and help you travel smarter in avalanche terrain. Explore current courses and registration on the Education page. 

Thank you for all of the great observations recently. They help us create better forecasts, and we truly appreciate them. Please keep submitting them! 

Ski and ride safe!

Régions couvertes