Bollettino valanghe

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sun
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Sunshine and a generally stable snowpack will allow for an enjoyable day recreating in the mountains. Look for older, small slabs of wind-blown snow near ridgelines and summits. These could prove troublesome if they knock you off your feet or machine into surface obstacles like rocks, trees, or gullies.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    Thursday's elevated southwest winds drifted snow into small, thin slabs at favored upper-elevation locations. These may mask features formed earlier in the week and be either soft or hard. 

    A rippled or scalloped snow surface and dune-like features indicate the wind has been at work. Slabs may be found near exposed ridgelines and summits. They should be generally harmless unless they push you over a cliff, into surface obstacles, or a terrain trap where snow can pile up deep.  Cracking at the surface is a sign of a sensitive slab, while hollow-sounding snow is representative of a hard slab that may be surprisingly supportive until it fails. Softer snow is found on slopes that are not affected by the wind.  

Avalanche Discussion

January's relatively dry conditions continue as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region and lasts through most of the upcoming work week. The snow surface conditions of wind and sun crust on exposed slopes and weak faceted snow on shaded aspects will likely continue. The upcoming sustained sunshine may warm the surface snow and develop wet snow avalanche problems on steep sunny aspects. Stay tuned as we monitor the potential for warming temperatures. The avalanche danger may not change significantly until later in the work week or next weekend when the ridge breaks down and precipitation returns. 

We began the New Year with near to well-above median SWE readings at area SNOTELS.  Noisy Basin in the Swan Range was at 145%, and Stahl Peak in the northern Whitefish Range was close behind at 132%. Unfortunately, those numbers have dropped to 122% and 103%, respectively, at the end of day 1/24/25. Closer to the Continental Divide and east of the Divide, the situation is grim, with Flattop reporting a paltry 77% and Many Glacier clocking in at 54%. These numbers will continue to dwindle with the upcoming expected dry conditions. The silver lining is that it is still early in the season, as our mid-elevation SNOTELS do not reach their seasonal maximum SWE until late April or early May.

Interested in learning more? Check out our events calendar! There is a Ladies Intro to Avalanches course on Saturday, February 1st.

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