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.

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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.