Good Morning. This is Doug Chabot with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Tuesday, January 17th at 7:00 a.m. Today’s advisory is sponsored by Montana Ale Works and Mystery Ranch. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Today is the 5th day in a row without snow, our longest dry-spell of the winter. This morning mountain temperatures are in the mid to upper 20s with teens around West Yellowstone and Cooke City. Winds are blowing W-NW at 30-40 mph in the northern ranges and 15-25 mph in the southern areas. The Bridger Range also has strong mid-mountain winds (S) at 30+ mph. Today will be clear, temperatures will rise to near freezing and winds will remain the same.
Madison Range Gallatin Range Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
The snowpack has two weak layers of sugary facets: a thin layer formed during the cold weather 10 days ago and a thick layer at the ground. Yesterday, Alex and I skied into Beehive Basin north of Big Sky to look at the natural avalanche that occurred Sunday afternoon (video, photo). A small, wet loose avalanche likely triggered this SW facing slope at 9200’. A person could just have easily triggered it. The slope was steep, thinly covered and had very weak snow on the ground (depth hoar).
Two groups of skiers in Hyalite took photos of avalanches yesterday (photo), one triggered by a goat (photo). One party got shooting cracks and collapsing on a wind-loaded slope along with poor stability test scores in multiple snowpits. Their diligence to dig and reassess coupled with a heightened awareness to signs of instability is a great example of safe and thoughtful backcountry travel. An avalanche last Thursday in Lionhead, collapsing in Cabin Creek (S. Madison Range) over the weekend and a small avalanche outside Cooke City in Yellowstone yesterday (photo) point to lingering instability.
Sugary snow at the ground is creating a poor snow structure and has kept me from trusting steep slopes. Triggering deeper avalanches from thinner areas of the slope is a concern. Since the storm 5 days ago avalanches have become less likely, but remain possible which Eric outlines in his video on Buck Ridge on Saturday. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on all slopes.
Above-freezing temperatures and direct sunshine will create loose, wet avalanches today. Like we saw in Beehive Basin, these have the possibility to trigger slopes.
Bridger Range
The Bridger Range has strong ridgetop and mid-mountain winds. The mid-mountain winds (S) are worrisome because they are loading gullies and slopes in unusual places. There’s not much snow left to transport, but even a thin wind slab can break and push you off a cliff. Weak, faceted snow is found on most slopes and with the added burden of a wind drift avalanches are still possible. For today, the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on all wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.
Get caught up on all the great photos people have submitted as well as our running log of field day videos.
I will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning by 7:30 a.m.
We rely on your field observations. Send us an email with simple weather and snowpack information along the lines of what you might share with your friends: How much new snow? Was the skiing/riding any good? Did you see any avalanches or signs of instability? Was snow blowing at the ridgelines? If you have snowpit or test data we'll take that too, but this core info is super helpful! Email us at mtavalanche@gmail.com or leave a message at 406-587-6984.
Month of January: Montana Ale Works has chosen the Friends of the Avalanche Center as January's "Round It Up America" recipient. Every time you round-up your bill the change gets donated to the Friends. Pennies equal dollars!
King and Queen of the Ridge, Saturday, February 4th. A Hike and Ski/Ride-a-Thon fundraising event to support the Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. Register with Bridger Bowl HERE, make pledges HERE.
BOZEMAN
Tuesday, January 17, Avalanche Center Forecaster’s Social at Montana Ale Works. A small-plate fare and beer tasting fundraiser for the Friends: $40.00/person; 2 seatings (5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m). Get your tickets HERE.
Evenings 18-19 January, field 21 or 22 January. Introduction to Avalanches with Field Course, 7-9:30 p.m. at MSU Sub Ballroom B. Sign up HERE.
COOKE CITY
Weekly rescue training and snowpack update, 6-7:30 p.m., The Antlers Lodge on Friday, field location Saturday TBA.
BIG TIMBER
TOMORROW, January 17, Avalanche Awareness, 6-7:30 p.m., Sweet Grass County High School.
WEST YELLOWSTONE
January 21, Avalanche Awareness, 6-7:30 p.m., West Yellowstone Holiday Inn.
DILLON
February 4 and 5, Intro to Avalanches with Field Day, More info and sign up HERE.