Rain Line or Snow Line?

<p>Stormy day in the Flathead with significant loading from new snow, wind and rising freezing levels. On our morning ride we noticed some small storm slabs on cutbanks. Visibility was poor and we couldn’t see into the high treeline or alpine terrain. With that in mind we chose to ride terrain under 30 degrees in steepness with no overhead hazard such as cornices. In the late afternoon the rate of snowfall was picking up again and so were the south west winds. As we made our way out in the afternoon and the snow turned to rain at around 1300 metres.</p>

Terrain Ridden

Mellow slopes, Dense trees, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Alpine slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

Rapid temperature rise to near zero degrees or wet surface snow.

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Snow Conditions

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Stormy.