Good Morning. This is Alex Marienthal with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Forecast on Monday, February 8th at 7:30 a.m. Today's forecast is sponsored by Bridger Bowl and everyone who fundraised for the King and Queen. This year's top 3 fundraisers were Meesh Simard of Alta Physical Therapy, Axel Peterson of the Bridger Brigade, and Dash Rodman of MAP Brewing! This forecast does not apply to operating ski areas.
Since yesterday morning the mountains received 4-6” of snow near Big Sky and Bozeman, 2” near Cooke City and zero near West Yellowstone. Wind has been west-northwest at 15-25 mph with gusts of 30-40 mph. This morning temperatures are single digits to low teens F, and today temperatures will be single digits to mid-teens F. Wind will be westerly at 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Light snow showers will continue today with 1-3” possible by tomorrow morning.
Since last Wednesday the mountains near Bozeman and Big Sky got 3-4 feet of snow equal to 2.5-3.5” of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is more than what they got in all of January (and most of December). Yesterday there were natural avalanches on the west side of Saddle Peak (info), and another on Cedar Mountain (photo). Skiers in Beehive triggered a small test slope that produced a relatively very large slab avalanche (photos). Ski patrols at the Yellowstone Club and Big Sky triggered very large avalanches on deep buried weak layers, and saw wide natural avalanches on road cuts (photos). The list of avalanches, and widespread collapsing over the last four days is extensive (weather and avalanche log). Many avalanches broke deep and wide on sugary, buried weak layers.
Yesterday Doug looked at the snowpack outside of Bridger Bowl’s boundary. As he explains in his video, even when it stops snowing we will be still able to trigger large avalanches for days. Wind is continuing to drift recent low-density snow into thick slabs on top of a very weak snowpack. Today very dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and danger is HIGH on wind-loaded slopes and CONSIDERABLE on all other steep slopes. Avoid travel on and underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Since Wednesday the mountains near Cooke City received 3-4 feet of snow equal to 2.9” of SWE. The last couple days moderate to strong west-northwest wind drifted the snow into thicker slabs. These can avalanche and will be large enough to bury or injure a person, and could break deeper on buried weak layers (video from Friday). Yesterday a skier saw natural avalanches on the drive through Yellowstone Park (photos). On Friday a skier triggered and was partially buried in an avalanche near Hayden Creek (photo and details). This recent heavy snowfall creates dangerous avalanche conditions. With a few more inches of snow and continued wind today natural and human triggered avalanches are likely, especially on wind loaded slopes. The avalanche danger is HIGH on wind-loaded slopes and CONSIDERABLE on all other slopes. Avoid travel on and underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees
Since Wednesday the mountains near West Yellowstone received 2 feet of snow equal to 2.1” SWE, with no measurable snow since yesterday morning. Human triggered avalanches are likely and will be large enough to kill. On Saturday near Lionhead Ridge a snowmobiler triggered an avalanche that broke wide, and luckily nobody was caught (photo). Weak, sugary snow buried 3-4 feet deep is slow to gain strength, and it can collapse under the weight of a person, and break wide across slopes (Lionhead video). Today, very careful route finding and conservative terrain selection are essential. Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE.
If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).
Deadliest week for avalanche fatalities in U.S. since 1910
Since last Sunday there were 15 avalanche fatalities in the U.S. The most in one week in the U.S. since 1910 (NYT article). On Saturday in Utah, 8 skiers were caught and 4 were killed. Three events in the last week involved multiple burials and deaths. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of those involved in all the recent events. More info at: avalanche.org/avalanche-accidents/
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
See our education calendar for an up-to-date list of all local classes. Here are a few select upcoming events and opportunities to check out:
Every Saturday in Cooke City, FREE snowpack update and rescue practice at the Round Lake Warming Hut between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Poster with More Info.
February 19 and 20, Companion Rescue Clinic. Registration HERE.
February 26 and 27, Women's Companion Rescue Clinic with SheJumps. Registration HERE.
With this deep snow also be cautious of snow immersion/suffocation. From a skier in Hyalite Saturday: “[skied] low angle slopes - but keeping the terrain mellow meant our biggest concern was deep snow immersion/tree wells... which were REAL hazards today. At one point I had an odd prerelease, crashed and ended up slightly head down choking on snow and thankfully my partner was close and able to help right me.”