Anyone in NW Montana, here is the special avy bulletin sent out this morning:
This is Stan Bones with a special backcountry avalanche warning issued by the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 5:00 AM, Tuesday, January 15th, 2008, for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai National Forest areas.
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| HAZARD ANALYSIS |
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|Because of strong W'erly winds accompanied by variable amounts of new snowfall, we are currently rating the avalanche danger as HIGH over all of
|the mountain ranges of Northwestern Montana. |
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Monday night strong, mostly SW'erly winds invaded Northwestern Montana,
often accompanied by periods of snow showers. Winds gusting into the 20's
MPH were producing areas of blowing snow. As a vigorous winter storm moves across Western Montana, heavier snows are further forecasted Tuesday.
Local blizzard-like conditions are expected in the mountains as winds
gusting to 50 MPH create whiteout conditions in some areas. Tuesday night
temperatures are forecasted to drop into the single digits or lower as a
very robust NW flow develops.
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. Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided.
The weather forecast is for more wind, snow showers, and cold temperatures
through at least Wednesday night. Backcountry travelers need to remain
alert and avoid travel in avalanche terrain until current weather
conditions abate and snow conditions stabilize.
This advisory message will next be updated on Friday, January 18th, 2005.
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