Avalanche danger raised to 'high'

The Daily Inter Lake

Avalanche danger in Northwest Montana has been elevated to "high" because of strong west winds that moved through the region overnight, with varied amounts of snow.

That danger plus a new snow storm led to postponement of a search for two people believed to be missing after a Sunday avalanche.

The Glacier Country Avalanche Center issued the hazard analysis at 5 a.m. Tuesday, saying that winds gusting beyond 20 mph were causing blowing snow and drifting.

"As a vigorous winter storm moves across Western Montana, heavier snows are forecasted Tuesday," the advisory says. "Local blizzard-like conditions are expected in the mountains as winds gusting to 50 mph create white-out conditions in some areas."

Tuesday night temperatures are expected to drop into single digits or lower.

"Because of strong winds, new snow and cooling temperatures, unstable slab layers are likely on steep, wind-loaded slopes in all of the mountainous areas of Northwestern Montana," the advisory says. "Both natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided."

The center says the forecasted weather conditions are expected to continue through at least Wednesday night, and backcountry users should avoid traveling in avalanche terrain until snow conditions stabilize.

The heightened avalanche danger comes on the heels of Sunday's massive avalanche in the Canyon Creek drainage that killed two skiers.

Search efforts had been scheduled to resume Tuesday morning for two other skiers reported to be missing in the avalanche.

However, a winter storm moved into the area around 3 a.m. Tuesday. New snow, high winds and the increased avalanche danger led to postponement of further search efforts, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

After the storm passes and the avalanche site is safe, rescue workers planned to return to action using dog teams and probe lines.

Additional resources are expected for the search. Special avalanche-trained dogs from Fernie, B.C., are expected to arrive Wednesday.

For more on this story, read Wednesday's Daily Inter Lake.