Pacific monsoon heading for the Flathead

A steady plume of moisture extending from Northwest Montana all the way to China is predicted to bring heavy mountain snow and valley rain to the Flathead this weekend. Avalanche danger will be on the rise as snow accumulates.

Marias Pass and the West Glacier region could see up to 14 inches of new snow, while mountain peaks could pick up 20-30 inches. A winter weather advisory has been issued for the West Glacier region until noon on Saturday.

The Glacier Country Avalanche Center is rating avalanche danger as “considerable” on all terrain, both above and below 5,000 feet in elevation.

“Rain or snow at low elevations and heavy snow at upper elevations will create hazardous conditions in the next 24 to 48 hours,” GCAC reports.

Avalanche dangers will trend upward this weekend, with freezing levels climbing to 6,000 feet on Saturday. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered slides are likely.

With high snow levels, the valleys will see predominately rain. There is some concern in the valleys for rock and mud slides and water ponding. A mud slide was reported yesterday in Idaho County.

“We’ll probably see a few more of these by the end of the storm,” Trent Smith of the National Weather Service said yesterday.