Bollettino valanghe

Flathead Range & Glacier NP

Flathead Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

Enjoy generally safe avalanche conditions. Steer away from wind-drifted snow along exposed ridges, open bowls, or mid-slope gullies. Small avalanches can have severe consequences in extreme terrain. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southwest winds peaked yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and were sufficient to drift snow at upper elevations. Observations of blowing snow varied from none to intense. In most locations, there is not much snow available for transport. This has resulted in isolated thin slabs that are easy to manage. 

    Steer away from obvious signs of wind-drifted snow, like an etched surface or dune-shaped features. You are most likely to find these along exposed ridges and in open bowls above treeline. Cracking around your feet or machine is a clear sign of unstable snow.  Consider changing your route or objective if you find drifts 8 or more inches thick. 

    (1/23/2025)

    Cracking around your feet or machine is a clear sign of instability.  Reevaluate your route if you find sensitive drifts 8 or more inches thick. 

    Photo: Rob Millspaugh

Avalanche Discussion

Message fatigue refers to a state of being exhausted and tired of prolonged exposure to similarly-themed messages [National Institute of Health].

If you’re not feeling it yet, we sure are. We’ve been on a run of low danger this week with a flirt of a wind slab problem in our upper elevation band. January has been relatively dry and each day, I think, “Surely there’s no more snow left to blow”. Yesterday (Thursday), I challenged this narrative by climbing an exposed ridge south of the advisory area. I was surprised to find widespread and intense blowing snow and ultimately backed off my objective. Meanwhile, observations from Glacier National Park and the Flathead Range found little to no wind effect.

If by skill or by luck you find a zone with abundant unconsolidated snow (or, less fortunately, one that was favored by recent wind), expect to find sensitive slabs downwind from ridges and prominent terrain features. These will increase in size as you climb above the tree line and can have outsized consequences in extreme terrain.

Glide cracks have been reported in all zones on slopes facing west, through south, to southeast. Several glide avalanches have slid in the last two weeks.  Don't park, play, lunch, etc., under these hazards, as they can release without warning. 

Education and Events:

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

Regioni coperte