A reactive persistent weak layer remains the primary concern for the region - especially around treeline.
Retreat to more conservative terrain if you see signs of instability.
New snow and wind may be forming small fresh wind slab near ridges and in lee and crossloaded featuress. Check for older stubborn slabs as well before comitting to steep slopes.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar, especially around steep openings in the forest or cutblocks.
Rain on Wednesday may create potential for wet loose sluffing, especially in steep terrain. Use appropriate sluff management techniques if the snow surface is wet.
Tuesday
The field team felt whumpfing in the Flathead.
Monday
A skier triggered a size 1 persistent slab 50 cm deep. Wet loose sluffs were observed on sunny slopes.
Sunday
Explosives triggered several persistent slab avalanches, many at treeline 40 to 70 cm deep.
Saturday
Skiers remotely triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab from 30 m away while regrouping; it failed on surface hoar with a 55 cm crown depth.
Friday
Whumpfing & shooting cracks running 200 m were observed.
Up to 4 mm of precipitation is in the forecast for Wednesday, and may fall as rain or snow at treeline.
Widespread wind effect at upper elevations left a variety of pressed surfaces, slabs, and sastrugi in open terrain. Solar-facing slopes and lower elevations likely have a surface crust.
Multiple weak layers of surface hoar and/or crusts/facets may exist in the upper meter of the snowpack; the most reactive is from late January, buried 40 to 90 cm deep. Most recent persistent slab avalanches failed on this surface hoar layer in sheltered areas at treeline and below. This layer has been less reactive recently near the ski hill, but riders continue to trigger it sporadically throughout the forecast region.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 0 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 0 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
