Avalanche danger high in Northwest Montana mountains

The Daily Inter Lake

Avalanche danger was raised to high Wednesday morning for mountains in Northwest Montana.

Stan Bones of the Glacier Country Avalanche Center issued the avalanche warning for Glacier National Park and Flathead and Kootenai national forest areas.

Heavy recent snowfall, followed by rising temperatures, prompted Bones to raise the avalanche rating from "considerable" to "high."

"Unstable snow is likely on steep, open terrain in all of the mountainous areas of Northwestern Montana," Bones said. "Both natural and human-triggered loose snow and slab avalanches are likely. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Extensive skill, experience, and local knowledge are essential to safely travel in the backcountry currently."

Because of the heightened risk of avalanches, the Montana Department of Transportation issued an advisory Wednesday for travelers to avoid stopping along U.S. 2 between West Glacier and East Glacier.

The Middle Fork Flathead corridor is highly prone to avalanches.

Cooling weather Friday may slightly lessen the avalanche danger, though it should remain elevated through the weekend, according to Bones.