Hungry Horse, MT – Backcountry travelers in and around Glacier National Park could trigger a large avalanche capable of running across multiple slopes as unstable snow stacks up through early Wednesday.
According to the Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse, a Backcountry Avalanche Warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday for slopes above 5,000 feet in the Flathead Range, Lake McDonald area and Marias Pass, and above 6,500 feet in the Swan and Whitefish ranges. New snow combined with wind-drifted slabs has created very dangerous conditions.
Forecasters warn that avalanches are very likely to release on weak layers buried 2 to 4 feet deep. Slides may run long distances, spill into low-angle terrain and even reach snowmobile trails, snowshoe routes and backcountry ski areas. Some avalanches could connect across ridgelines, releasing multiple starting zones at once. Smaller features such as roadcuts may also fail, pushing debris onto roadways below.
Outdoor recreationists are urged to avoid traveling on or beneath steep slopes and to carefully evaluate terrain choices. Even experienced riders and skiers face heightened risk under these conditions.
Dangerous avalanche conditions will persist through early Wednesday morning, and additional updates are possible if snowfall and wind continue.
