20-21

<p>The <em>amount </em>and <em>type</em> of precipitation will drive our avalanche concerns this weekend. Rain and above freezing temperatures are likely at lower elevations and will increase in the wet snow avalanche danger. Alarm bells should go off if you observe an unsupportable wet snowpack or if you sink into wet snow deeper than mid-boot (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIajdl9hhyo"><strong><u>wet loose vs wet slab video</u></strong></a>). Colder temperatures will freeze the surface of the snowpack at higher elevations limiting avalanches to the new snow (<a href="https://mtavalanche.com/images/21/new-snow-sluffing-outside-advisory-ar… snow avalanches outside the advisory area</u></strong></a>). Look for a supportable crust below the fresh snow and assess how the new snow is bonding before committing to any steep terrain. Expect variations in snowpack stability as <em>temperatures fluctuate</em> throughout the day and at <em>different elevations</em> and <em>aspects</em>. Increasing winds on Sunday will drift recent snow into unstable slabs that will avalanche under the weight of a skier or rider.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ask yourself these questions before entering avalanche terrain this weekend:</p>

<ol>
<li>Is it raining on the snowpack? Avoid steep terrain and go watch a movie, it’s raining.</li>
<li>Is the snowpack frozen with a crust? A solid crust will minimize the potential for deeper avalanches.</li>
<li>If there is a crust, how is the new snow bonding to it and how much new snow is there? Manage this hazard by avoiding areas with terrain traps.</li>
<li>Is wind drifting the snow and increasing the danger? Avoid these drifts in steep terrain.</li>
</ol>

<p>Deep-slab avalanches are unlikely, but skiers near Big Sky recently observed the weak, sugary snow at the base of the snowpack on colder, shady slopes (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/depth-hoar-n-madison"><strong><u>…;). A large spring storm or the rapid addition of liquid water to the snowpack would increase the deep-slab danger. Our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFmB3aoeNI&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvQDzKmH… snowpack summary video</u></strong></a> highlights the poor snowpack structure that could still large avalanches. See our website for additional general spring snowpack and travel advice.</p>

<p>We will issue spring snowpack and weather updates each Monday and Friday through April, or as needed, and we will share relevant avalanche and snowpack information on our website and social media. If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>New snow creates avalanche hazards for the next few days. Potentially dangerous avalanche conditions exist where the mountains received more snow, especially on slopes where east wind drifted the snow into thicker slabs that a person could trigger. When skies clear and temperatures warm tomorrow or Wednesday, expect wet loose avalanches which could be large and harmful where more new snow fell.</p>

<p>Carefully and continuously evaluate the stability of the new snow. Be extra cautious of wind-loaded slopes and watch out for drifts in less common locations due to the east and north winds. Anticipate stability to change through the day and between different aspects and elevations. Spring weather is highly variable which creates highly variable stability. Don’t let your guard down, and continue to be diligent with safe travel practices. Carry proper, functional avalanche rescue gear and only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain.</p>

<p>Avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are unlikely, but not completely ruled out for the season. Over the past weekend, students in an avalanche class near Big Sky found the weak, sugary snow at the base of the snowpack still exists on cold, shady slopes (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/depth-hoar-n-madison">photo</a></…;). Keep this weak layer in mind for the possibility of deeper wet slabs if there are extended above freezing temperatures, or the small chance dry slabs could break on this layer on cold, shady slopes. Our&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PFmB3aoeNI&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvQDzKmH… snowpack summary video</a></strong> highlights this&nbsp;poor snowpack structure. See below for additional general spring snowpack and travel advice.</p>

<p>We will issue spring snowpack and weather updates each Monday and Friday through April, or as needed, and we will share relevant avalanche and snowpack information on our website and social media. If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>