Avalanche danger high as more snow falls

The Flathead Avalanche Center has issued a special avalanche bulletin for Feb. 20-23 advising backcountry travelers of elevated avalanche danger through the weekend.

The center’s advisory area has been under an avalanche warning since Feb. 16 with the hazard rating at high, meaning natural- and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Numerous reports of natural avalanches and close calls from human-triggered avalanches have been received.

The center will issue a special advisory on Friday, Feb. 21, and regularly scheduled advisories on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23. Additional special advisories will be issued if the conditions warrant.

Even if the threat of natural avalanches decreases, the potential for human-triggered avalanches will remain elevated, the center says, and the magnitude of the avalanches has increased over time.

The center and its partners urge backcountry users to make very conservative decisions this weekend while choosing terrain and making decisions.

“This will be a good weekend to stay out of avalanche terrain or choose only low-angle slopes with low exposure and consequences,” the center advises.

Some groups have canceled planned outings. The Summit Snowgoers Club canceled an outing scheduled for Saturday at the Skyland Road area in the Middle Fork, and the Flathead Snowmobile Association plans to delay grooming for the Canyon Creek Trail until conditions moderate.

For more information, visit online at www.flatheadavalanche.org or call the advisory hotline at 406-257-8402 or call the Flathead Avalanche Center at 406-261-9873.