The avalanche danger is rising as strong, gusty winds drift recent snow into dense slabs. You can easily trigger avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep on steep slopes with fresh deposits of drifted snow. Stick to sheltered terrain or low-angled slopes that aren't below ridges where you see blowing snow. In this terrain, riding slopes less than 35 degrees also reduces your risk of triggering slides that break on old snow. Potent storms may create dangerous conditions tomorrow and Monday. 

Skiers and riders continue to trigger storm slab avalanche at mid and upper elevations. Expect to find thicker, more dangerous slabs on wind loaded terrain features, such as ridgelines and gullies further downslope. Shooting cracks, collapses, and recent avalanches are all signs to seek terrain with slope angles less than about 35 degrees.

You’re likely to trigger avalanches a foot deep or more on steep terrain at middle and upper elevations today. Storm slabs will be larger and more dangerous in leeward terrain below ridges and in chutes. Slabs may break across whole slopes where the new snow has buried reactive weak layers. Watch for shooting cracks and feel for collapsing in the snow around you. Stick to terrain with low slope angles with minimal overhead exposure. Avoid areas with terrain traps below.

You’re likely to trigger avalanches a foot deep or more on steep terrain at middle and upper elevations today. Storm slabs will be larger and more dangerous in leeward terrain below ridges and in chutes. Slabs may break across whole slopes where the new snow has buried reactive weak layers. Watch for shooting cracks and feel for collapsing in the snow around you. Stick to terrain with low slope angles with minimal overhead exposure. Avoid areas with terrain traps below.

You can trigger slabs of new and drifted snow near and above treeline today. These slabs will be deepest and break widest on steep, leeward slopes below ridgelines and in chutes. Watch for blowing snow and cracking in rounded drifts. You may trigger small upside-down storm slabs on steep, sheltered break-overs. Shooting cracks in denser snow means you’ve found the hazard. Lower slope angles are the way to avoid triggering avalanches.

The avalanche danger may rise as the first in a series of storms impacts our area. Thin slabs may develop downwind of ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies—monitor new snow totals and blowing snow as you gain elevation. Investigate slopes with a pillowy or thicker look before committing. Opt for slopes out of the wind if you find cracking or stiff snow. Manage sluffs on steep slopes, especially above terrain traps or cliffs. 

The avalanche danger may rise as the first in a series of storms impacts our area. Thin slabs may develop downwind of ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies—monitor new snow totals and blowing snow as you gain elevation. Investigate slopes with a pillowy or thicker look before committing. Opt for slopes out of the wind if you find cracking or stiff snow. Manage sluffs on steep slopes, especially above terrain traps or cliffs. 

You're most likely to stumble into today's isolated avalanche hazards in steep, upper-elevation terrain. Triggered sluffs and small wind slabs in this terrain can have serious consequences if they sweep you into or over cliffs, rock, trees, or gullies. The avalanche danger will rise steadily through the week as a parade of weak storms brings snow and stronger winds to the forecast region. Monitor changing conditions by reading each day's forecast. 

Avalanche hazards are small and isolated to steep, upper elevation terrain. Triggering a slide might, however, have serious consequences, because this terrain is chock full of consequence magnifiers: cliffs, rocks, trees and gullies where debris from small slides piles up deeply. Where you find about 8 inches or more of loose snow at the surface, beware of loose dry slides. Near ridgelines and summits, be alert for hard slabs of drifted snow sitting on loose, sugary snow. 

Avalanche hazards are small and isolated to steep, upper elevation terrain. Triggering a slide might, however, have serious consequences, because this terrain is chock full of consequence magnifiers: cliffs, rocks, trees and gullies where debris from small slides piles up deeply. Where you find about 8 inches or more of loose snow at the surface, beware of loose dry slides. Near ridgelines and summits, be alert for hard slabs of drifted snow sitting on loose, sugary snow. 

If your travels take you into the alpine, especially around the Lake McDonald area, watch for wind drifted slabs that can be large enough to bury or injure you. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and pillowy drifts are all signs to tone back your decisions and choose simpler terrain. You will most likely find these signs above 6500’ where more snow fell and winds drifted slabs over a weak snowpack structure

Exercise normal caution in the Swan Range today. Carry your shovel, beacon, probe, and travel one at a time through avalanche terrain.

The further north you travel, the greater the avalanche risk. Snowfall accumulations on Wednesday favored the northern Whitefish Range and possibly the Lake McDonald area. In these areas, watch for shooting cracks and pillowy surface clues as signs to seek out lower angled terrain that is sheltered from the wind. Expect low hazard conditions in other areas that received 1 to 2 inches of snow.

Dangerous avalanche conditions have developed in leeward terrain near and above treeline. Stiff wind slabs have not bonded well to crusts and persistent weak layers. They will be reactive on steep slopes below ridges and in crossloaded gullies. Bigger terrain means you can trigger bigger avalanches. Be conservative and avoid slopes where stiff snow cracks or collapses. Feel for thicker slabs hiding under softer new snow.