Avalanche danger 'considerable' this weekend

With warmer temperatures forecast through the weekend, the Flathead Avalanche Center issued a “considerable” avalanche danger warning for elevations above 5,000 feet Friday morning.

The advisory applies to the Swan and Whitefish mountain ranges, along with the southern portion of Glacier National Park.

“Above-normal temperatures and intense spring sunshine will create wet avalanche problems and dangerous conditions as the day progresses,” the advisory states. “Get an early start and be off sunny slopes early in the day. Expect natural and human triggered wet, loose avalanches on most aspects and elevations.”

It also notes that cornices and wind slabs could pose significant hazards to those in the backcountry, with human-triggered avalanches likely.

The center’s website urges backcountry users to exercise caution in route finding and to carefully observe snow conditions as they traverse high-elevation areas.

According to the center’s website, a skier on the Whitefish Range’s Glacier View Mountain reported a wet avalanche Thursday, at an elevation of about 5,400 feet. It traveled an estimated 400 vertical feet on a 38-degree north aspect. No one was injured in the slide.

The Flathead Avalanche Center issues avalanche advisories each morning based on reported and observed snow and weather conditions.

For the latest advisory or to get more information, visit www.flatheadavalanche.org.