West Central Montana Avalanche Center

Wind blowing hard on ridge above, forming 1cm wind packed top layer on top of 20cm new snow on 01/14/2020. Top snowpack is bonding rather well, but beware of deep persistent weak layer in lower snowpack that can still be triggered. Natural slides 'to the ground' observed from 01/14/2020 during latest storm.

Test plus pit

Plunge - Lost Trail backcountry. About 12cm new snow last 24hrs, 40+cm last 72hrs. 125cm depth. Weak layers propagating at 84cm and 50cm.

Area received around 2 feet of snow 01/01/2020, and had natural avalanches at that time. With warming and snow expected, avalanche danger is high. Recent snow is forming strong slab and is not whumphing or cracking on top of weak lower snowpack.