MISSOULA — Anyone who is planning to head out into the backcountry is being advised to use extra caution due to recent snowfall.
The avalanche danger in the west-central Montana backcountry is “high” in wind loaded terrain and is “considerable” elsewhere.
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended, according to Jeff Carty with the West Central Montana Avalanche Center.
He also cautioned in a Friday morning advisory that the hazard may increase with high winds and rising temperatures.
The danger rating -- which expires at midnight -- does not apply to operating ski areas which are the responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service.
Carty says that our latest storm has dropped more than two feet of snow in the Bitterroots, the southern Missions, and the Swan Mountain Range.
Very careful and critical terrain assessment is required in the backcountry according to Carty and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Click here to view the latest avalanche advisory from the West Central Montana Avalanche Center.
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