A grocery list of avalanche concerns today, with the greatest danger where snow accumulations are greatest and winds continue to blow. That’s generally areas closest to the Flathead Valley. Cold temperatures and bitter wind chills will complicate backcountry travel, decision-making, and rescue today. Keep it simple.

A grocery list of avalanche concerns today, with the greatest danger where snow accumulations are greatest and winds continue to blow. That’s generally areas closest to the Flathead Valley. Cold temperatures and bitter wind chills will complicate backcountry travel, decision-making, and rescue today. Keep it simple.

Expect increasingly dangerous conditions today as new snow and cold northeast winds create fresh slabs and add weight to buried weak layers. Conservative decision making and cautious route-finding are required to travel safely in and near avalanche terrain. Dangerously cold windchill and decreasing visibility will complicate backcountry travel by this afternoon.

Recent wind slabs 6” to 3’ deep sit atop weak snow and may be slow to heal. Steep open slopes below ridgelines and cross-loaded features are the greatest concern. Sheltered slopes will offer safer, better riding conditions. Cold temperatures will continue to increase the consequences of an accident.

Recent wind slabs 6” to 3’ deep sit atop weak snow and may be slow to heal. Steep open slopes below ridgelines and cross-loaded features are the greatest concern. Sheltered slopes will offer safer, better riding conditions. Cold temperatures will continue to increase the consequences of an accident.

Recent human-triggered and natural wind slabs from 6" to 3' thick highlight the continued threat of slab avalanches in wind affected terrain.  You will find safer and softer riding conditions in wind protected terrain: Hunt for the low-density snow and mind your sluffs.    Cold temperatures will complicate a rescue or injury today. 

Surface instabilities involving the new and windblown snow are today's primary concern, especially in terrain where a small slide could knock you into trees or over rocks.  Larger and more dangerous wind slabs may exist in terrain that saw extensive wind transport during the past few days.  Pay attention to surface clues and recent wind drifting patterns before traveling in steep terrain.  Cold temperatures will complicate any kind of rescue or injury.  

Surface instabilities involving the new and windblown snow are today's primary concern, especially in terrain where a small slide could knock you into trees or over rocks.  Larger and more dangerous wind slabs may exist in terrain that saw extensive wind transport during the past few days.  Pay attention to surface clues and recent wind drifting patterns before traveling in steep terrain.  Cold temperatures will complicate any kind of rescue or injury.  

Bitterly cold temperatures and breezy northerly winds are forming cold stiff slabs on atypical leeward aspects. Slabs are forming below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies on surfaces which may inhibit bonding. It remains possible for buried weak layers to become reactive as wind-deposited snow accumulates or from small wind slab avalanches. Expect to encounter hollow sounding snow which is a red flag that you are on a slab.  Areas sheltered from the wind offer a safer alternative. 

An Arctic intrusion entered our area overnight and strong easterly winds and light snow will continue through the day. Dangerous avalanche conditions are developing on atypical leeward aspects with fresh slab formation below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies. Wind-deposited snow, or small wind slab avalanches, may cause buried weak layers to become reactive. Look for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and whumpfing.  Areas sheltered from the wind offer a safer alternative. 

An Arctic intrusion entered our area overnight and strong easterly winds and light snow will continue through the day. Dangerous avalanche conditions are developing on atypical leeward aspects with fresh slab formation below ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies. Wind-deposited snow, or small wind slab avalanches, may cause buried weak layers to become reactive. Look for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and whumpfing.  Areas sheltered from the wind offer a safer alternative. 

Complex avalanche conditions are developing today. Dense snow and strong southwest winds are forming slabs on the lee sides of ridges, gullies, and saddles. The new load is adding weight to fragile layers of surface hoar and facets buried between 1-2 feet deep at middle elevations. Prolonged warming is increasing the chances for loose wet avalanches. Watch for blowing snow, shooting cracks, and wet surface snow as red flags. The danger may rise as more snow accumulates tomorrow. 

It’s not quite Groundhog Day, but today seems a lot like the last few days. Primary danger? Mid-elevations, where you can still trigger slabs that break one to two feet deep on buried surface hoar. At upper elevations, gusty winds have been forming firm but small slabs sensitive to the weight of a snowmobile or person. The avalanche danger will rise with new snow and gusty winds overnight and this weekend.

It’s not quite Groundhog Day, but today seems a lot like the last few days. Primary danger? Mid-elevations, where you can still trigger slabs that break one to two feet deep on buried surface hoar. At upper elevations, gusty winds have been forming firm but small slabs sensitive to the weight of a snowmobile or person. The avalanche danger will rise with new snow and gusty winds overnight and this weekend.