Weather Forecast for West Glacier

AVAMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Flathead Avalanche Center Hungry Horse MT. ...AVALANCHE WATCH ISSUED BY THE FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ001 (MTZ001)...MTZ002 (MTZ002) * WHAT...An incoming storm may create exceptionally dangerous conditions. * WHERE...The Whitefish, Swan, Flathead, and Apgar Ranges, and the Lake McDonald Valley and Marias Pass regions in Glacier National Park. * WHEN...In effect from Wed 07:00 MDT to Thu 06:00 MDT. * IMPACTS...Snow and strong winds are expected to arrive late Wednesday. If the storm develops as forecasted, danger may rise to High (Level 4 of 5) overnight. Avalanches could break in the new and wind-drifted snow. Larger and more destructive avalanches may fail on buried weak layers. The likelihood of natural and human-triggered avalanches will increase. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Exceptionally dangerous avalanche conditions may develop. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Consult http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected. * WHERE...Kootenai/Cabinet Region. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches. For the first Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. There is a high likelihood of extreme impacts from strong winds and falling and/or blowing snow on US Highway 2 east of West Glacier to Marias Pass and in backcountry and mountain areas. Wind gusts up to 80 mph. For the second Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of major winter weather impacts winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Polebridge, Marias Pass, Bad Rock Canyon, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Glacier National Park, and Essex. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 PM MDT this evening. For the first Winter Storm Warning, from 6 PM this evening to midnight MDT tonight. For the Blizzard Warning, from midnight tonight to 9 AM MDT Thursday. For the second Winter Storm Warning, from 9 AM Thursday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. For EXTREME winter storm impacts, expect substantial disruptions to normal activities. Extremely dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Travel in the impacted areas is not advised. Extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Life saving actions may be needed. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High winds will impact all elevations late tonight through Thursday morning with wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded. A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle.

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches. For the first Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 6 inches. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. There is a high likelihood of extreme impacts from strong winds and falling and/or blowing snow on US Highway 2 east of West Glacier to Marias Pass and in backcountry and mountain areas. Wind gusts up to 80 mph. For the second Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of major winter weather impacts winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Polebridge, Marias Pass, Bad Rock Canyon, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Glacier National Park, and Essex. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 PM MDT this evening. For the first Winter Storm Warning, from 6 PM this evening to midnight MDT tonight. For the Blizzard Warning, from midnight tonight to 9 AM MDT Thursday. For the second Winter Storm Warning, from 9 AM Thursday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. For EXTREME winter storm impacts, expect substantial disruptions to normal activities. Extremely dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Travel in the impacted areas is not advised. Extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Life saving actions may be needed. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High winds will impact all elevations late tonight through Thursday morning with wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded. A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle.