BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING
IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
06:00 MST Wed Mar 18 2026

The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas:
NWS Missoula MT – MTZ001 (MTZ001)…MTZ002 (MTZ002)

* WHAT…Above-freezing temperatures, strong winds, and rain have created very dangerous avalanche conditions.

* WHERE…Slopes above 5,000 feet in the Whitefish, Swan, Flathead Ranges, and the Lake McDonald and Marias Pass areas of Glacier National Park.

* WHEN…In effect from Wed 06:00 MDT to Thu 06:00 MDT.

* IMPACTS…Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Wet loose avalanches will entrain a dangerous amount of wet debris. Weak layers buried several feet deep may fail, resulting in very large and destructive avalanches.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain.

Consult http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

Source: Flathead National Forest

Photo: Pixabay