Good Morning. This is Eric Knoff with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Saturday, March 3rd at 7:00 a.m. Today’s advisory is in memory Ben Richards. Ben was killed in an avalanche 11 years ago today. He will be missed and remembered forever. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Since yesterday morning the mountains near West Yellowstone picked up 6-8” of new snow while the mountains around Cooke City picked up 2-3”. The mountains around Big Sky squeezed out a trace to 1” while the mountains around Bozeman remained dry. This morning snow has exited the area and temps range from the single digits to low teens F under partly cloudy skies. Winds are blowing 10-25 mph out of the S-SE. Today, temps will warm into the upper teens to mid-20’s and winds will remain light to moderate out of the S-SE. There will be a brief break in the weather today, but another round of snow is forecasted to impact the area tonight and tomorrow. Most areas will see 1-3” by tomorrow morning with the exception of Cooke City which will see 3-5”. Snow continues through the day tomorrow.
The mountains near West Yellowstone picked up roughly a foot of new snow out of the latest storm system. Yesterday, Alex and I rode in Tepee Basin in the southern Madison Range and found wind loading to be the primary concern (video). Skiers on Ernie Miller Ridge near Bacon Rind found similar conditions (photo).
Today, wind slabs 1-3’ deep will easily fail under the weight of a skier or rider. Watch for and avoid wind loaded slopes, specifically near ridgelines and steep convex rolls. Storm slabs and dry loose slides are less of a concern, but could still be triggered on steep sheltered slopes.
In addition to new snow instabilities, cornices continue to grow by the day. These overhanging monsters will be under a lot of stress from the latest storm. Give them a wide distance along the ridgelines and avoid spending time on slopes beneath them.
Today, human triggered slides are likely on wind loaded slopes which have a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Non-wind loaded slopes have a MODERATE avalanche danger.
The mountains around Bozeman, Big Sky and Cooke City did not get hit nearly as hard with new snow, however, these areas did receive a heavy amount of wind. Yesterday, most areas saw wind gusts between 40-50 mph, which moved snow around in higher elevations. Doug was in Hyalite yesterday and found gullies to be packed with fresh wind drifts. These drifts were mostly glued on, but he still avoided them and mentioned the situation could be different in the alpine.
Fresh wind drifts will be stubborn today, but still hold the potential to fail with the proper trigger (video). Be cautious when traveling around wind loaded slopes, specifically in steep high consequence terrain. The gullies in Hyalite are a perfect example of terrain where even a small wind slab can have severe consequences.
Cornices are an additional problem. They can break farther back than expected and can trigger slides on the slopes below (photo).
Today, natural avalanches are unlikely, but human triggered avalanches remain possible on wind loaded slopes which have a MODERATE avalanche danger. Non-wind loaded slopes have a LOW avalanche danger.
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
Today! Pinhead Classic at Bridger Bowl. Ski race, awards and legendary after party. Info HERE.
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.
In Dashboard Talks, Episode 7, Alex Marienthal and Doug Chabot provide a few thoughts about why you should read the daily advisory. As the season wears on, don't get "Advisory Fatigue." There is a lot of winter still to come!