Avalanche danger 'considerable' this weekend

With warmer temperatures forecast through the weekend, the Flathead Avalanche Center issued a “considerable” avalanche danger warning for elevations above 5,000 feet Friday morning.

The advisory applies to the Swan and Whitefish mountain ranges, along with the southern portion of Glacier National Park.

The center’s director, Erich Peitzsch, said Friday afternoon the risk of snow slides would likely continue through the weekend, with more sunny, warm weather expected through Monday.

“Over the past week we got about a foot [of snow], but the week prior we had more than 16 to 20 inches,” he said. “March has been pretty good to us in terms of snowfall, but when we get into warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine, we start to see these wet, loose avalanches.”

Cornices and wind slabs could pose significant hazards to those in the backcountry, with human-triggered avalanches likely.

Pietzsch advised those headed into the backcountry to head out early and plan to leave by early afternoon, when the sun starts warming the slopes.

“When you start to see little roller balls moving down the slope, or little pinwheels that almost look like cinnamon rolls, that’s an early indicator the snow surface is becoming weak and it’s a good time to think about moving to a shadier spot,” he added.

During a “considerable” avalanche advisory, the avalanche center urges backcountry users to exercise caution in route finding and to carefully observe snow conditions as they traverse high-elevation areas.

A skier on the Whitefish range’s Glacier View Mountain reported a wet avalanche to the center Thursday, at an elevation of about 5,400 feet. It traveled an estimated 400 vertical feet on a 38-degree north aspect. No one was injured in the slide.

“We definitely encourage people to look at the advisory and make the appropriate decision once they’re out there, because things can change quickly,” Pietzsch said. “Even though it’s springtime, don’t get complacent: beacon, shovel and probe, at minimum. Even though the days are long, sunny and warm, we can still get avalanches.”

The Flathead Avalanche Center issues avalanche advisories each morning based on reported snow and weather conditions.

For the latest advisory or to get more information, visit www.flatheadavalanche.org.

 Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.