Good Morning. This is Alex Marienthal with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Forecast issued on Sunday, December 9th at 6:45 a.m. Today’s forecast is sponsored by Knoff Group Real Estate and Lawson Dental. This forecast does not apply to operating ski areas.
This morning temperatures are in the teens F, the mountains have no new snow, and wind is westerly at 10-20 mph. Today will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s F and wind out of the west to southwest at 10-20 mph. The next chance for snow is Tuesday morning.
The snowpack in the Bridger, Gallatin and Madison Ranges, and mountains near Cooke City is 2-3 feet deep and generally stable without widespread buried weak layers. Near West Yellowstone, the snowpack is 1-2 feet deep, sugary and weak (video). Check out our recent videos and snowpit profiles on our website for a snapshot of the snowpack structure across our advisory area.
Reports of avalanches last week were confined to small slides of new and wind-drifted snow (Avalanche Activity). Today will be the fifth day in a row without new snow or heavy wind-loading, and avalanches are unlikely to be triggered. On Friday, ice climbers in Hyalite triggered a small pocket of wind-drifted snow (photo). Similar small wind slabs might be found today. Blowing and drifting snow or cracking of the snow surface are signs that you might find unstable fresh drifts. Assess wind-loaded slopes for the consequences of being caught in even a small slide. Today, the avalanche danger is rated LOW.
If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar.
BOZEMAN
Today!, December 9, Beacon Park for the Bozeman Ice Fest, Grotto Falls parking lot, Hyalite Canyon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tomorrow, December 10 and 11, Snowmobile Intro to Avalanches w/Field, Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone; more info here.
December 12, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness for Snowmobilers, 6-7 p.m. at Yellowstone Motorsports, Bozeman.
December 13, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness, 6-7 p.m. at Play It Again Sports, Bozeman.
HELENA
December 12, 1-hr Avalanche Awareness, 6-7 p.m. at The Basecamp, Helena.
COOKE CITY
Every Friday and Saturday, Rescue Training and Snowpack Update. Friday 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Soda Butte Lodge. Saturday anytime between 10-2 @ Round Lake.
Check out our new “Avalanches and Snowpits” menu item where we list all the reported avalanche activity.