Scary Time in NW Montana: Enormous Avalanche Conditions

It’s been one of the most challenging winters in Montana for avalanche conditions. Weak early snowpack in several parts of Montana started off the season with a terrible base. Warm conditions, then large snow dumps haven’t made for a stable back country experience for most of the season.

• At the request of Flathead Avalanche Center Hungry Horse, Montana:
• AN AVALANCHE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER.
• The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas:
• NWS Missoula MT – MTC 029 (Flathead County)…MTC 047 (Lake County)…MTC 053 (Lincoln County)
• WHAT…Prolonged warm, sunny weather is creating very dangerous avalanche conditions.
• WHERE…On and below steep slopes above 5000 feet in the Flathead, Whitefish, and Swan Ranges, and portions of Glacier National Park (the McDonald Valley and areas bordering US Highway 2 west of Marias Pass).
• WHEN…In effect from Monday 06:00 Tuesday 06:00.
• IMPACTS…Natural and triggered avalanches involving wet snow are very likely on both sunny and shady slopes. Hard slabs failing on deeply buried weak layers are likely.
• Overhanging cornices can break spontaneously, triggering large to very large avalanches on the slopes below.
• PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in the Whitefish, Swan, and Flathead Ranges, as well as Glacier National Park.
• Consult flatheadavalanche.org or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information.
• Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

This Avalanche Warning is in effect in all zones of our advisory area. Warm temperatures and sunny skies will produce large and deadly avalanches. Avoid traveling in avalanche terrain today.