Avalanche danger high; flooding possible

The Daily Inter Lake

Avalanche danger was raised to high Wednesday morning for mountains in Northwest Montana.

Separately, a flood watch was issued for Flathead, Lake and Sanders counties.

Stan Bones of the Glacier Country Avalanche Center issued the avalanche warning for Glacier National Park and Flathead and Kootenai national forest areas.

Heavy recent snowfall, followed by rising temperatures, prompted Bones to raise the avalanche rating from "considerable" to "high."

"Unstable snow is likely on steep, open terrain in all of the mountainous areas of Northwestern Montana," Bones said. "Both natural and human-triggered loose snow and slab avalanches are likely. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Extensive skill, experience, and local knowledge are essential to safely travel in the backcountry currently."

Cooling weather on Friday may slightly lessen the avalanche danger, although it should remain elevated through the weekend, according to Bones.

Higher temperatures and rainfall in the Flathead Valley on Wednesday made driving an adventure.

Rain on top of recent snow (27.7 inches in the valley so far this month) created slushy messes on many roadways.

Rain was forecast today, tonight and into Thursday by the National Weather Service. There is a 90 percent chance of rain until Thursday night, with today's high temperature expected to be 45 and tonight's low predicted to be 33.

The abrupt change in the weather prompted the weather service to issue a flood watch for Northwest Montana.

"The combination of strong winds, warming temperatures and rain will lead to snow melt, runoff and ponding of water on roadways and low-lying areas," the weather service advisory said.

"Drainage systems in many cities may be clogged with snow and ice and add to the problem of standing water."