Officials warn about backcountry avalanche conditions

Officials are warning backcountry travels of high avalanche danger in the mountains of Glacier Park and the Flathead National Forest.

Glacier Country Avalanche Center reports that new snow and wind loading is causing natural and triggered avalanches. The new snow is on top of a less dense and shallow snowpack.

About a foot of heavy snow fell in the upper elevations of the Whitefish Range over the past two days. The National Weather Service says a 119 mph wind gust was recorded at 4 a.m. Thursday by a wind gauge on the top of the visitor center at Logan Pass in Glacier Park.

Avalanches are reportedly ripping loose at 2-3 feet deep, and sometimes down to bear grass, officials report.

New snow and more wind predicted for today and tomorrow could add to stress to the current snowpack. The avalanche center will issue an updated report on Friday.