This year, with the new website, we’ve added elevation bands.
These are labeled Upper, Middle, and Lower elevation.
These are rather generic names intentionally.
Elevation bands throughout our forecast vary significantly.
Applying specific elevation heights would lead to inaccurate hazard ratings applied to individual bands.
For instance, Lolo Pass and the base of Snowbowl are both at the same elevation, 5200’. Lolo pass receives significantly more snow, and avalanche conditions are significantly different as a result, resembling higher elevations in the Rattlesnake.
Temperatures in the southern portion of the forecast area trend higher than temperatures in the northern portion, which also affects elevation bands.
Identifying the bands requires some interpretation for the area where you are touring.
The bands overlap, and in general, they have the following characteristics and elevations:
