CURRENT 4-1-15 West/Central Montana Avy conditions: NO RATING

Scott · Feb 6, 2015

Avalanche Advisory for February 6, 2015<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

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At all locations above 6000 feet in the west central Montana backcountry, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on terrain steeper than 35 degrees. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on recently wind loaded steep terrain and in areas where weak sugary snow is capped by a hard crust that formed a week ago.<o

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The avalanche danger is LOW elsewhere in the advisory area.<o

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Good morning, this is Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s backcountry avalanche advisory for February 6, 2015. This danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight tonight (2/6).<o

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Snow and Weather<o></o>

Mountain temperatures are in the upper thirties this morning with winds in the 30mph range. SNOTEL stations report under .5″ of SWE or about an inch of new snow in the past 24 hours.<o

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Locations above 6000 feet received several inches of snow the past 48 hours coupled with ridge top winds close to 40mph. These W-SW winds created sensitive wind slabs on high elevation lee terrain on Thursday. These are relatively small but will remain sensitive and become more problematic as they get bigger with this weekends storm.<o

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The most recent buried surface hoar layer we’ve been talking about has gained considerable strength during the past few days of moderate temperatures and is no longer displaying signs of propagation. It’s still there, it fails cleanly in compression testing and I expect that it will again be reactive during the next big loading event, which will conveniently be this weekend.<o

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It’s worth taking the time to look for it. The photo below is a good example of what you are looking for; a weak layer of snow under an ice/melt freeze crust about a foot deep. Colder, shaded aspects are holding this instability longer than aspects on the south half of the compass.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Forecast<o></o>

The Missoula Office of the National Weather Service is forecasting a significant moisture event this weekend.<o

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We can expect mostly rain below 6000 feet, a mix of rain and snow to 7000 feet and up to a foot of high moisture content snow above 7000 feet. SWE’s may range from 1.5 inches to 3 inches by Sunday. Wind gusts to 50mph from the W-SW will redistribute any available snow onto leeward terrain. Many aspects will be cross-loaded during this event.<o

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The avalanche danger will increase through the course of this storm then diminish after a couple of days. The most dangerous terrain will be on the lee side of the highest exposed peaks and ridges.<o

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Below 6000 feet, our snowpack has already had a lot of rain and melt water pass through it so I don’t expect anything more than messy wet conditions and point release avalanches in areas that received snow this week.<o

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It’s looking like another strong high pressure ridge returns to the Northern Rockies early next week.<o

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moderate<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 6, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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Scott · Feb 17, 2015

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The avalanche danger in the west central Montana backcountry is rated at moderate. Loose, wet slides are the main problem; but there is potential to trigger a slab avalanche on slopes steeper than 35 degrees above 7000 feet.<o

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Good morning this is Logan King with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for February 13, 2015. The danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight.<o

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Avalanche and Weather Discussion<o

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Mountain temperatures this morning are 28-31F except for the northern reaches of advisory area which is above freezing. The winds are out of the WNW at 21 and gusting to 28 mph at Point Six.<o

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No significant precipitation has been recorded in the forecast area except the southern extent that received 2 inches of snow. The high pressure system continues to dominate the region keeping temperatures above normal.<o

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Steve and Tim were in the Rattlesnake and saw warm wet surface snow moving naturally and were able to get propagation in an extended column test. The propagation is occurring on a buried layer of facets and surface hoar located on a January crust.<o

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Similar problems were observed throughout the advisory area. There was a skier trigged slide on this layer near Lost Trail last week and a significant slide that likely ran on this layer as well on Sky Pilot in the central Bitterroot. (public observation).<o

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Travis and I toured near Gash Point in the central Bitterroot and were also able to get similar layers to propagate, in areas with a shallow snowpack. A significant number of loose wet point releases were observed continually during the day.<o

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The primary avalanche concern is wet loose snow slides and sluffs but persistent weaknesses that are in the snowpack continue to be reactive under the right conditions. The distribution of this layer varies throughout the advisory area so take the time to look for this problematic layer; you will have to dig to find it.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Outlook<o

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High pressure and unseasonably warm temps are expected to continue with cooler temps and more active patterns developing Saturday evening. Avalanche conditions will remain the same until the weather patterns shift.<o

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Travis Craft will issue the next regularly scheduled advisory on Tuesday, February 17th. Have a great Presidents Day weekend.<o

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moderate<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 13, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Feb 17, 2015

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The avalanche danger in west central Montana Backcountry is rated moderate today. The main problem is the possibility to trigger a slab avalanche on slopes >35 degrees above 7000 feet. The secondary problem is loose wet releases.<o

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Good morning this is Travis Craft with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for February 17, 2015. The danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight.<o

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Avalanche and Weather Discussion<o

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This morning mountain temperatures are in the mid to high teens and winds are out of the WNW at 15 mph and gusts of 18 mph. We have accumulated small amounts of snow throughout the advisory area over night with the Stuart Mountain Snotel picking up 5 new inches.<o

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The main problem we are facing right now is on slopes >35 degrees it is possible to trigger a large slab avalanche in isolated areas. This persistent slab varies in depth from 35 cm to 65 cm depending on where you are in the advisory area. Dudley was in the Southern portion of the Bitterrroots over the weekend and got deeply buried facets to propagate on a North facing slope around 7700 feet . Logan and I toured in the Rattlesnake yesterday and found this layer at a depth of 35 cm where it was reactive in propagation tests on a SE aspect at 7500 feet. These buried facets are widespread in the advisory area but are not propagating on all aspects. The only way to find this layer is to dig down 75 cm into the snowpack and see if they are reactive. This layer is one that just keeps hanging around with us and is attributed to the close call in the Lost Trail backcountry as well as the natural slide on Sky Pilot in the Bitterroots.<o

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The secondary problem of loose wet releases will increase throughout the day as temperatures rise.We observed many releases yesterday in the Rattlesnake on aspects with sun exposure. Pay attention to changing weather and aspects while recreating.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Outlook<o

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High pressure is forecasted to stay with us until Thursday evening bringing with it above average temperatures. I expect the lingering slab to stay reactive in the advisory area and loose wet releases to be a problem with temperatures reaching above freezing. With continued cool clear nights expect to see surface hoar development which will lead to our potential new problem as it is buried in our snowpack.<o

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Steve Karkanen will issue the next regularly scheduled advisory on Friday, February 20.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 17, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Feb 23, 2015

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The avalanche danger is now LOW in the west central Montana backcountry. Conditions are generally safe but it is possible to find unstable snow in isolated areas particularly on shaded terrain steeper than 35 degrees above 7500 feet.<o

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Good morning, this is Steve Karkanen with the west central Montana backcountry avalanche advisory for Friday February 20, 2015. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight and does not apply to operating ski areas.<o

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Weather and Snowpack<o></o>

This morning mountain temperatures are in the twenties to low thirties and a NW wind is gusting to 26mph. Moisture is moving through the area and SNOTEL stations are reporting a trace to an inch of new snow.<o

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Cooler temperatures the past couple days have locked up the snow surface on all but the most heavily shaded terrain. There were plenty of wet, loose snow avalanches earlier this week but this condition won’t reappear until after we see more new snow.<o

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The good news is that we are feeling more confident that the widespread weak layers we’ve been describing have now healed to the point where the slab no longer propagates and is mostly confined to isolated areas. We haven’t heard of any avalanches involving these deeper layers for a couple of weeks and all the observers report continued strengthening of these layers. Expect to find lingering instability on shaded terrain above 7000 feet especially in the southern Bitterroot near the Lost Trail backcountry and along the higher state line ridges.<o

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The bad news is that the freeze up created very tricky skiing conditions with a variable sun crust and frozen roller balls on the steeper ground. This crust overlies yet another weak layer that will be the next avalanche problem when it snows several inches. It’s not a problem now, but watch how the new snow bonds to this glassy surface and if it will support a heavy load.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Forecast<o></o>

The Missoula Office of the National Weather Service is forecasting an Arctic air mass to move into the area from the northeast tonight with increased wind and much colder temperatures. Not much snow is expected with this system and what we get will surely be blown around.<o

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Expect the avalanche danger to remain similar until the area receives several inches of new snow. Heavy new snow on the current surface will raise the avalanche danger on any slope steeper than 35 degrees.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 20, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Feb 23, 2015

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Posted: Feb 21, 2015 07:51 am<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

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New snow overnight with high E-NE winds has increased the avalanche danger to MODERATE at all mountain locations in west central Montana. The Rattlesnake and southern Missions received 10 and 14 inches respectively with 2 to 4 inches in the Bitterroot mountains. A 30mph east wind (Point Six RAWS) is already impacting the higher terrain this morning and is expected to increase throughout today and Sunday. Expect the avalanche danger to ramp up to CONSIDERABLE on ANY recently wind loaded slope steeper than 35 degrees.<o

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Good morning, this is Steve Karkanen with an avalanche conditions update from the West Central Montana Avalanche Center.<o

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Well, that didn’t last long. We finally made it to generally safe (LOW danger) conditions but this Arctic air and precipitation have changed the outlook. The area of most concern is in the mountains north of Missoula and around Seeley Lake. The snow surface conditions and a weak layer underlying the sun crust will be problematic for the next few days. Strong east winds are moving the new snow onto lee terrain so expect to find wind slabs in unusual locations today.<o

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I will issue the next regular advisory on Monday Feb 23. If you get out and see something interesting, let us know. Your observations are very helpful and may save a life.<o

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moderate<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory Update for February 21, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Feb 24, 2015

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The avalanche danger is LOW at all mountain locations in west central Montana. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Conditions are generally safe but there are many isolated places where it is possible to trigger an avalanche. Steep terrain loaded from strong east winds last weekend and heavily shaded terrain steeper than 35 degrees are places where you may find a pocket of unstable snow.<o

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Good morning backcountry skiers and riders! This is Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s backcountry avalanche advisory for Tuesday February 24, 2015. This information is the responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas.<o

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Weather and Snowpack<o></o>

Mountain temperatures are in the teens and low twenties this morning with a 23mph W-NW wind gusting to 28mph on Point Six. There has been no precipitation the past 48 hours.<o

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A fast moving system dropped a few inches of snow at most locations in the advisory area last weekend with the Rattlesnake, southern Missions, and southern Bitterroot picking up 10-14 inches. An east wind hammered high elevation ridges and peaks Saturday and Sunday with gusts recorded at 50mph on Point Six early Saturday. Cornices started to form on the west to southwest sides of high ridges and fresh wind slabs formed further down slope and in cross loaded areas.<o

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New wind slabs are the primary avalanche problem but these will be spotty and in unusual places since the areas that typically load (E-NE aspects) were scoured down to the old, and now very hard, snow surface.<o

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Dry, loose snow or point release avalanches involving the new snow is the other avalanche problem to be aware of.<o

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The new snow bonded to the old snow surface and is not exhibiting signs of instability. It is possible to trigger loose snow sloughs on very steep pitches (40+ degrees) but these should be manageable. When it does warm up again, this avalanche problem will morph into a wet, loose snow avalanche problem.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Forecast<o></o>

A few more days of high pressure and cold air is expected to be the main weather feature. Our atmosphere is stable now with light winds at most elevations. The wind is expected to increase by mid-week as another Arctic air mass slides down the east side of the Continental Divide spilling cooler air and some precipitation into western valleys. While not much snow is expected for west central Montana, increased wind speeds may be an issue. Stay tuned.<o

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The avalanche danger will remain LOW until we see a significant change in temperatures, new snow or high winds.<o

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I will issue the next regular advisory on Friday, February 27, 2015.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 24, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Feb 27, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for February 27, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on shaded north facing and recently wind loaded terrain steeper than 35 degrees above 7000 feet. Natural avalanches are unlikely, human triggered avalanches are possible. Heightened avalanche conditions exist in mostly isolated steep terrain and in areas where cold temperatures have allowed weak layers to persist and come back to life each time it snows heavily.<o

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The avalanche danger is LOW at all other mountain locations in west central Montana.<o

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Hello backcountry skiers and riders! This is Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s backcountry avalanche advisory for Friday, February 27. This information is the responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas.<o

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Weather and Snowpack<o></o>

Mountain temperatures are in the teens and low twenties this morning with light W-SW winds at 8000 feet. No precipitation has been recorded in the past 24 hours.<o

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The Rattlesnake and southern Mission Mountains west of Seeley Lake picked up another 5-6 inches of snow Wednesday with other locations receiving much less.<o

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Wind slabs formed in many lee areas and the new snow will slough on slopes steeper than 40 degrees.<o

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There is plenty of snow available for transport so wind slabs will continue to be the primary avalanche problem for the next few days. On very steep terrain, loose snow avalanches are the secondary concern.<o

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In the Rattlesnake, Travis and Logan found that the new snow has reactivated the now deeply buried facet layer that formed in January. They were able to get full propagation in several tests on a shaded north aspect (see video). Ed and Casey found this layer on shaded aspects and it was reactive in compression testing (CTH25 Q2).<o

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Colder temperatures have allowed the deeply buried facet layers to persist and become reactive with new snow in some locations. This is best described as a “spotty and isolated” problem. Most other locations visited this week do not have this persistent weakness so it is not widespread. The Rattlesnake and southern Missions received the most snowfall since last weekend (10″ to 14″ with an additional 4″ to 6″ yesterday in the Missions). The additional load was just enough to “wake up” this old problem.<o

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It is also casts enough uncertainty into the equation to bring the avalanche danger up a notch. It’s worth taking the time to see if it exists.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Forecast<o></o>

Missoula Weather is forecasting scattered snow showers accompanied by gusty east winds through Friday. Colder air will settle in over the weekend and is expected to remain through mid week. Only light snow is expected this weekend.<o

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The avalanche danger will remain similar for the next few days as cold air takes hold. Heavy new snow, high winds or a rapid increase in temperatures will raise the avalanche danger.<o

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The snow surface is recrystallizing under the influence of strong temperature differences in the upper few inches of the snowpack. This will be the next weak layer if it snows heavily again.<o

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Dudley will issue the next advisory on Tuesday, March 3.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for February 27, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 3, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for March 3, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger in the west central Montana backcountry is rated at moderate. It is possible to trigger loose snow and wind slab avalanches. There is also the probability, albeit low, of triggering a deep slab avalanche on very steep slopes (>35 degrees).<o

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Good morning, this Dudley Improta with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for March 3, 2015. This danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight tonight (2/3/15).<o

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Weather and Snowpack<o

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The winter storm warning from yesterday has been cancelled; west central Montana is now under a winter weather advisory until 11 A.M. The northern part of the advisory area picked up 4 to 5 inches of snow, the central Bitterroot got up to 6 inches. Some snow banding (periods of intense snow in certain areas) did occur; the Ch-paa-qn (Sleeping Woman) snotel is showing 8 inches from last night. The winds howled in the mountains and are still gusting in the 30 mph range this morning; mainly out of the east. Mountain temperatures are below 0 F.<o

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The winds with last night’s storm began out of the south and west and eventually became easterly. The snow we picked up last night is cold and light. Wind slabs are a possibility on just about any aspect. The old surface of the snow was generally stiff; so the new light snow will sluff easily on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.<o

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Like I mentioned above, some banding did occur with this storm. There will be areas in west central Montana that received more than 6 inches. The slopes in these areas will be capable of producing larger wind slabs and loose snow sluffs.<o

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We are still keeping an eye on a deeper slab that has been propagating in our extended column tests for a month. I re-posted our video below from February 26 that shows this failure. We got the same layer to propagate with energy near Lost Trail (pit profile below) and in the Rattlesnakes on Sunday. The persistence and “on again/off again” character of this layer has us scratching our heads. I would dig down a little deeper than a meter (3 feet) to look for it if I were considering any steep slopes with shaded northerly aspects.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Conditions Outlook<o

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The weather service is forecasting dry conditions with a gradual rise in temperatures beginning tomorrow. This pattern is likely through the coming weekend. I would expect the avalanche danger to remain the same at least through Wednesday. My main concern is the wind and the cold, loose snow available for transport. The avalanche danger should decrease toward the end of the week with the weather predicted.<o

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If you would like to send snow observations use our public observations form or send us an e-mail at info@missoulaavalanche.org .<o

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I will post the next regularly scheduled advisory on Friday, March 6.<o

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Ride and ski safe and have a great week.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 3, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 6, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for March 6, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger is rated at low in the west central Montana backcountry. It may be possible to trigger a small wind slab or loose snow avalanche on steep terrain (>35 degrees). Larger natural or triggered avalanches are unlikely, not impossible, unlikely. There is always some chance of triggering an avalanche if you recreate or travel on slopes 35 degrees and steeper.<o

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Good morning, this is Dudley Improta with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for March 6, 2015. The danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas and expires at midnight tonight (3/6/15).<o

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Weather and Snowpack<o

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Mountain winds are generally out of the west this morning. Up on Point 6 (near 8000 ft.) the winds are whipping in the 25 mph range and gusting into the 3o’s. Temperatures above 6ooo feet are in the mid to high 20’s F, with a couple of spots in the northern part of the advisory area right at freezing. It looks like a nice day today and above normal temperatures for the weekend. College students and fishing guides will be back in their flip-flops; maybe we’ll have to act like it’s winter this summer.<o

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Steve and I took a ride around the Lolo Pass area yesterday. There was actually 3-4 inches of new snow that made for good sledding. The snowpack in the Lolo Pass area was bomber.<o

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Travis and Tim went into the Rattlesnakes (Rattlesnakes snowpit below) and could not get the deep persistent layer, we’ve been talking about for a month, to propagate. I am going to mention it below as a problem just because it has hung around so long. There is a very low chance of triggering this slab. You could increase your chances of triggering it if you don’t ride or ski one at a time in steep, open bowls with shaded northerly aspects. Seriously, I would dig a little more than a meter down to look for this weakness in steep, shady terrain.<o

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Ed Snook and Geoff Fast were out and about in the Lost Trail Area (LT snowpit below). They noted 4 inches of new snow that sluffed, when ski cut, on very steep slopes (40 degrees). There were indications that small wind slabs were lurking on steep slopes as well.<o

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Weather and Snow Outlook<o

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West central Montana will see mild and dry conditions into next week. A high pressure ridge looks to be well entrenched. Temperatures are expected to gradually increase over the next couple of days. At least we won’t have rapid warming. There might the possibility of wet loose slides on sun-exposed slopes as this warming occurs.<o

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If you get out and want to send us any snow observations use our public observation form or simply send us an e-mail at info@missoulaavalanche.org .<o

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Travis Craft will post the next regularly scheduled advisory Tuesday, March 10 .<o

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Ride and ski safe, have a great weekend.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 6, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 10, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for March 10, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger in the west central Montana Backcountry is rated Low today. The main problem is loose wet avalanches with rising temperatures. There is always some chance of triggering an avalanche if you recreate or travel on slopes 35 degrees and steeper.<o

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Good morning this is Travis Craft with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for March 10, 2015. The danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight tonight.<o

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Avalanche and Weather Discussion<o

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This morning mountain temperatures are right around freezing and winds are 20 mph with gusts of 27 mph out of the West in the advisory area. High pressure will dominate again today with temperatures rising today equal or slightly higher than yesterday. It will feel like another spring day in the mountains.<o

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The snowpack is generally stable in our advisory area. With the lack of new snow and above average temperatures for March the main avalanche problem will be loose wet avalanches. It may be possible to trigger these wet releases on terrain steeper than 35 degrees.<o

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Steve and I toured in the Rattlesnake yesterday and found mostly stable snow with the springlike conditions. With the warm temperatures and no new precipitation travel conditions are very good and the deep persistent weak layer 90cm in our snowpack has become unreactive in stability tests.We observed some loose wet releases from cliff bands in the afternoon on sun exposed aspects.<o

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Dudley was in the Lost Trail Backcountry over the weekend and found that the lingering instabilities in the snowpack were nonreactive in stability tests. His main concern was loose wet snow avalanches with warming temperatures in the afternoon.<o

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Low danger does not mean no danger if you are recreating on sunny slopes and pinwheels or rollerballs start to occur it is time to change aspect. Pay attention to these bull’s-eye clues from the warming snowpack. Cornices are starting to heat up and melt with the spring conditions so give them the respect they deserve.<o

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Weather and Avalanche Outlook<o

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High pressure is forecasted to stay with us till thursday when a weak disturbance will break the cycle and create a chance of some precipitation. If we do get a new load of snow, faceted snow on northerly aspects will be the new layer of concern.<o

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If you get out and want to send us any snow observations use our public observation form or simply send us an e-mail at info@missoulaavalanche.org .<o

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I will post the next regularly scheduled advisory on Friday, March 13.<o

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Ride and ski safe, have a great week.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 10, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 13, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for March 13, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger in the west central Montana Backcountry is rated Moderate today on open slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have not frozen overnight. The avalanche problem on these slopes is that it is possible to trigger a loose wet release. The avalanche danger is rated Low on all other terrain in the advisory area.<o

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Good morning, this is Travis Craft with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for March 13, 2015. The danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas, is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service and expires at midnight tonight.<o

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Avalanche and Weather Discussion<o

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This morning mountain temperatures are below freezing in all of the advisory area except Hoodoo Basin and Sleeping Women Snotels.We have accumulated trace amounts of snow and rain in the last 24 hours. The winds are 15 mph and gusting 20 mph out of the NW.<o

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The main avalanche concern is on open slopes >35 degrees that have not frozen overnight; it is possible to trigger loose wet releases. On slopes that did not freeze, the top 40 cm of the snowpack is rotten and triggering a loose wet slide is possible. With the forecasted high temperatures for today if the slope you are recreating on produces pinwheels or rollerballs it is time to change aspect. Pay attention to these bull’s-eye clues from the warming snowpack.<o

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Dudley and I toured in the Rattlesnake yesterday, we had poor visibility with a variety of snow conditions. Their was ice on windward slopes and rotten snow on leeward aspects at 7500 feet. The main concern we encountered was loose wet releases on unfrozen slopes. The deep persistent layer was reactive in compression tests but did not propagate in our ECT.<o

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Tim was in the Lolo Pass area and his main avalanche problem was loose wet slides on steep slopes >35 degrees. The spring-like conditions are warming cornices, so be aware of cornice failures.<o

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Ed and Casey were in the Lost Trail backcountry and had similar pit results on the persistent weak layer 35 cm into the snowpack. This layer failed in compression tests but had no propagation in ECT’s. The main concern is that on slopes that have not frozen overnight or that have warmed in the afternoon, it is possible to trigger a loose wet release.<o

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When recreating in the backcountry on steep slopes look for the bull’s-eye clues: pinwheels, rollerballs and punching through the top layers of the snowpack. These are signs of instabilities in a warming snowpack and it is time to change aspects.<o

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This weekend the high pressure is going to be replaced by a warm wet system which is forecasted to bring large amounts of precipitation. The weather models call for rain in the mountains of up to 2 inches. If these events happens then the avalanche danger will rapidly increase with the addition of rain or large amounts of heavy wet snow.<o

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Steve Karkanen will issue the next regularly scheduled advisory on Monday, March 16.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 13, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 17, 2015

</TD></TR> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

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The avalanche danger is LOW at all mountain locations in west central Montana. Natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Conditions are generally safe but there are isolated places where it is possible to trigger an avalanche.<o

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Good morning backcountry skiers and riders! This is Steve Karkanen with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s backcountry avalanche advisory for Tuesday March 17, 2015. This information is the responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. This is the final Tuesday advisory for the 2014/15 winter.<o

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Mountain temperatures are at or just above freezing this morning with a southerly wind gusting into the twenties at Point Six. Most SNOTEL stations received about a tenth of an inch of rain in the past 24 hours.<o

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Western Montana has been under the influence of a fast moving series of rain showers from the Pacific. All mountain locations received heavy rain Sunday which tapered to intermittent rain shower activity during the past 48 hours.<o

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This rain further deteriorated an already thin snowpack at the mid-elevations and saturated the higher elevation snowpack. Most locations below 8000 feet have already been through rain on snow events not to mention weeks of melt-freeze cycles so the snowpack handled the heavy rain pretty well. We did see evidence of wet loose snow avalanches on very steep west facing terrain that was previously wind loaded from the north.<o

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As temperatures cool with the frontal passage today I expect this snow to lock up tight.<o

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This will be the final Tuesday advisory for this winter. We plan to issue 2 more regular Friday advisories and close down soon thereafter. Logan King will report on avalanche conditions this Friday.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 17, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Mar 20, 2015

Heavy moisture is creating potential wet slab consideration.

<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd 1pt solid; WIDTH: 6.25in; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd 1pt solid; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid #DDDDDD .75pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=1> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #dddddd; BORDER-RIGHT: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #dddddd; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #dddddd; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>
<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; BACKGROUND: black; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> <?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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<TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 6.25in; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in" vAlign=top> <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15pt; PADDING-TOP: 15pt; PADDING-LEFT: 15pt; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-RIGHT: 15pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top> Avalanche Advisory for March 20, 2015<o></o>

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The avalanche danger is moderate for all mountain locations in west central Montana. Human triggered wet avalanches are possible as conditions warm throughout the day. Careful terrain choices and good timing are the best defenses to avoid avalanches today.<o></o>
Good morning, This is Logan King with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s backcountry avalanche advisory for Friday March 20, 2015. This information is the responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. <o></o>
Mountain temperatures are hovering around freezing this morning with a west north west wind in the 20’s and gusting up to 30mph at Point Six. SNOTEL sites recorded no significant precipitation through the advisory area for the past 24 hours.<o></o>
The forecast looks to be warm and sunny in West Central Montana and temperatures are expected to climb to nearly 60 degrees at mountain locations in the advisory area. With the warm temps the main avalanche concern today will be wet slides. Rollerballs are a great sign that the snow is warm and wet enough to slide so if you see them starting up as the day carries on consider a change in aspect and elevation. The secondary concern today will be cornice failure. Remember when these warm spring days hit that cornices can be touchy so give them a wide berth.<o></o>
It is officially spring and the forecast is calling for bluebird today and thunderstorms tomorrow. Avalanche danger will increase through the afternoon today as the warm temps and sun weaken the surface of the snowpack. Looking ahead; the majority of the advisory area has already seen rain on snow events but if a significant thunderstorm rolls through as predicted on Saturday conditions can deteriorate quickly.<o></o>
There will not be an advisory issued on Tuesday next week, and Dudley will issue the next and last regularly scheduled advisory on Friday.<o></o>
moderate<o></o>
The post Avalanche Advisory for March 20, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o></o>

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o></o>

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Scott · Apr 6, 2015

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On slopes above 7000 feet and steeper than 35 degrees the avalanche danger in the west central Montana backcountry is rated at moderate. It is possible to trigger small to moderately sized wet, loose slides. The chances of human triggered and natural wet releases will rise with today’s afternoon temperatures. Also in the higher, steep terrain, leeward aspects may harbor wind slabs from the storms that occurred earlier this week.<o

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Good morning, this is Dudley Improta with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s advisory for Friday, March 27, 2015. This danger rating does not apply to operating ski areas and expires at midnight tonight. This is our last regularly scheduled advisory for the season.<o

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Well, all it took to get up to a foot of snow in the mountains, was for the Avalanche Center to announce the end of the season and not issue a Tuesday advisory this week. If we had known it would be this easy, we would have done this in February.<o

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It should be a pleasant day with dry conditions and near record high temperatures. Mountain temperatures are already well above freezing. Above 7000 feet, west and southwest winds are blowing 10-15mph and gusting in the 20’s.<o

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Storms this week produced a welcome 8 to 12 inches of snow. We got a nice report from Downing Mountain Lodge on Wednesday about excellent riding conditions and elevated avalanche hazard in the Bitterroots. The main concerns were medium-sized, loose snow slides and wind slabs up to 10 inches. Steve and I toured in the Rattlesnakes yesterday and found the new snow has become a bit heavy and easily moves down the hill in loose, wet sluffs. These slides are substantial enough to trip up a day-dreaming skier and possibly cause a problem. The warm temperatures will increase the chances of a wet release.<o

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Today may see temperatures 15 to 20 degrees (F) above normal. Warm temperatures will increase the chance of natural and triggered wet releases. Outdoor enthusiasts heading out for the weekend should not be lulled into complacency by today’s balmy weather. Cooler temperatures, lowering snow levels and strong ridgetop winds are forecast for Saturday. A modest amount of snow, 2 to 5 inches, is predicted in the mountains. With dropping temperatures, possible snow and increased wind, I would expect the chances for wet slides to decrease and the chances for wind slabs to increase.<o

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Thanks!<o

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This is our last regularly scheduled advisory for the season. We will issue a spring bulletin in the next few days. The West Central Montana Avalanche Center and missoulaavalanche.org (our non-profit friends group) sincerely appreciates the support we get from the west central Montana community.<o

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Ride and ski safe. Have a great weekend.<o

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The post Avalanche Advisory for March 27, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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Scott · Apr 6, 2015

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Hello backcountry snow seekers. This is Steve Karkanen with springtime avalanche information from the West Central Montana Avalanche Center.<o

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With the upper Clark Fork basin showing between 70% and 90% of normal snowpack for April 1, we can be thankful for the early season snow we received. December and early January were good to us and the only reason western Montana mountain ranges are not in the dire condition other western US mountain ranges are in (see map).<o

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I’ll do my best to be optimistic about the current lack of snow by saying that mountain locations in the Northern Rockies can continue to accumulate snow through April and even May. And when that happens, avalanches happen, usually due to the new snow not bonding to the old snow surface or melt water percolating down and lubricating a slide path’s bed surface.<o

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For the most part, our snowpack has already been through several melt-freeze cycles and rain events and has adjusted to spring early this year. The main avalanche issues to be concerned with now are wet loose snow avalanches on warm days after a new snowfall, fresh wind slab development during storms and weakened cornices.<o

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The best travel advice for this time of year is to avoid being on or under steep terrain when you start seeing pinwheels or other movement with the melting snow. Move to more shaded or cooler terrain when you see this or when you are easily punching through to boot top level.<o

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After new snow, check to see how well it has bonded to the older snow surface and realize that wind slabs can remain sensitive for several days.<o

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Cornices can’t be trusted and they especially weak in the spring.<o

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This will be our last information statement for this season but we will continue to monitor and post any public observations as we receive them. If you get out and see something worth passing along, please do send us an email or use the form available on our website at missoulaavalanche.org. The information provided might keep someone out of trouble.<o

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Thanks for all the support this year! We couldn’t do it without your financial help and it is deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes out to the dedicated board members of the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation, our non-profit support organization.<o

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The post Avalanche Special Update – Spring Avalanche Information – April 1, 2015 appeared first on Missoula Avalanche.<o

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This information is the sole responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight but you can use the information we provide to help you make more informed decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass North to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.<o

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CURRENT 4-1-15 West/Central Montana Avy conditions: NO RATING

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