Good morning. This is Eric Knoff with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Saturday, April 2, at 7:00 AM. Today’s advisory is sponsored by the Lone Peak Brewery and Cooke City Super 8/Bear Claw. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Over the past 24 hours no new snow has fallen as a ridge of high pressure builds over the area. This morning temperatures range from the upper 20s to low 30s F under clear skies. Winds are blowing 5-15 mph out of the W-SW with a few ridgetop gusts exceeding 20 mph. Today, high pressure remains over the area producing warm and dry conditions. Highs will warm into the mid to upper 40s F and winds will remain light to moderate out of the W-SW. Above average temps will continue through the weekend.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Today, above freezing temperatures and strong solar input will make wet snow avalanches the primary concern. Although temps dropped below freezing last night, it won’t take long for surface layers to soften and destabilize. Obvious clues such as roller balls or small point releases are signs the snow is becoming unstable. Given the abundant amount of fresh snow in the mountains, wet snow avalanches have the potential to run larger than you might expect (video). Avoiding being on or underneath steep-sun exposed slopes will be a good idea as the day progresses.
While the weather and snowpack transition to a more spring like pattern, a hint of winter can still be found on upper elevation, north facing slopes. These areas should hold dry snow through the weekend. On most slopes the dry snow avalanche danger is low, but there is the possibility a skier or rider could trigger a slab avalanche – mainly in wind loaded terrain (video). There’s also a few scattered weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep (video). These layers don’t exist on every slope, but they have produced a few large avalanches recently (photo, photo), which is a good reminder to assess the snowpack structure before committing to steeper slopes.
Today, the wet snow avalanche danger will start out LOW but rise to CONSIDERABLE by this afternoon. The dry snow avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees and LOW on all other slopes.
I will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning by 7:30 a.m. If you have any snowpack or avalanche observations to share, drop us a line at mtavalanche@gmail.com or leave a message at 587-6984.
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