Good Morning. This is Alex Marienthal with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Monday, February 26th at 7:00 a.m. Today’s advisory is sponsored by Grizzly Outfitters in partnership with The Friends of the Avalanche Center. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
This morning there is no new snow in the Bridger Range and 1” in Hyalite and Big Sky. The mountains near West Yellowstone and Cooke City got 3-7” of new snow as of 9 o’ clock last night. SNOTEL stations are not showing data after that and higher snow amounts are likely. Temperatures this morning are single digits to teens F and will be in the teens F today. Wind overnight was southwest at 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Wind will remain strong in the southern ranges this morning, and elsewhere will shift northerly at 5-15 mph. Snow showers today will drop 2-4” near Bozeman and Big Sky and 5-7” near West Yellowstone and Cooke City.
Near West Yellowstone and Cooke City, strong wind over the past 24 hours drifted 8-10” of new snow into unstable wind slabs. Wind slabs 1-3’ thick are likely near ridgelines, on steep rolling terrain, and along the edges and base of cliffs. Snowfall totals overnight are uncertain due to SNOTEL not telling data since 9 p.m. Since that time a few more inches are likely and more snow is expected today.
Doug went to Lionhead Ridge yesterday where he found Mark Staples from the Utah Avalanche Center had come back here to look at our 7-11 foot deep snowpack. They found fresh wind slabs on top of an otherwise stable snowpack (video). These wind slabs will grow and be easier to trigger with more snow and wind today. Avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are not likely (video). If snow today is deeper than expected, avalanches within the new snow and dry loose avalanches are possible on steep slopes.
Strong wind and continued snow make human triggered avalanches likely on wind-loaded slopes, which have a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today. Non-wind loaded slopes have a MODERATE avalanche danger.
The mountains near Bozeman and Big Sky got zero to 1” of snow overnight. Strong wind yesterday drifted snow from Saturday night into slabs that are possible to trigger. These slabs are found near ridgelines, along cliffs and steep rollovers. A few inches of snow and light wind today will not greatly decrease stability. However, note changing conditions and avoid steep slopes if you see cracking and collapsing, or if snowfall and wind loading are heavier than expected. The snowpack is generally stable aside from new snow, fresh wind slabs, and large cornices (photo). Avalanche danger today is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes and LOW on non-wind loaded slopes.
If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, drop a line via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
BOZEMAN
Feb. 28th, Know Before You Go avalanche awareness, 7:00 p.m. @ Procrastinator Theater, MSU
March 2nd and 3rd, SheJumps Companion Rescue Clinic, Info and Register HERE
March 2nd, Avalanche Awareness, 7-8:00 p.m., MAP Brewing Bozeman Split Fest
March 7th, Avalanche Awareness, 6-7:30 p.m. @ REI
LIVINGSTON
March 20, Beer for a Cause Night at Katabatic Brewing, 4-8p.m. A dollar from every pint will be donated to The Friends of the Avalanche Center.
COOKE CITY
Every Friday and Saturday, Current Conditions Update and Avalanche Rescue, Friday 6:30-7:30 p.m. at The Soda Butte Lodge in February. Saturday anytime between 10-2 @ Round Lake.
A good partner is essential for a safe day in the backcountry. This recent article from Backcountry Magazine provides some tips on how to find and be a safe backcountry partner.