Posted:
Feb 19, 2014 @ 6:36 am

Avalanche Warning Continues

A BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING remains in effect for mountain locations above 5000 feet in west central Montana.

An additional 6 to 12″ of new snow in the past 24 hours with an increase in overnight winds of up to 60 mph overnight will keep the avalanche danger elevated today.  

This includes the Bitterroot mountains from Lost Trail Pass to Hoodoo Pass, the Rattlesnake mountains north of Missoula and the southern Swan and Mission Mountains on Lolo National Forest Lands near Seeley Lake, MT.

The avalanche danger is HIGH. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Natural avalanches are likely, human triggered avalanches are very likely.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.  Any open terrain steeper than 30 degrees especially recently wind loaded terrain is dangerous.  Avoid avalanche paths and their run out zones.

Good morning!  This is Steve Karkanen with an update to the West Central Montana Avalanche Center’s avalanche advisory issued on February 19.  This information is the responsibility of the Forest Service and does not apply to operating ski areas. The avalanche danger rating expires at midnight tonight. The avalanche warning will either be extended or allowed to expire Thursday morning.

 

READ FULL ADVISORY  

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 the information can help you make a more informed decision regarding travel in avalanche terrain for the next few days.

Our advisory area includes National Forest System lands in the Bitterroot Mountains from Lost Trail Pass north to Granite Pass, the Rattlesnake Mountains north of Missoula and the Southern Swan and Mission Mountains near Seeley Lake, MT. Avalanche information for the Lookout Pass/St. Regis Basin area is available from the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center.