21-22

<p>Over 3 feet of snow fell outside Island Park, Idaho since Sunday and we are continuing the AVALANCHE WARNING for this area since very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes. Avalanches can be triggered from low on the slope and from adjacent slopes far away. Do not get on or underneath steep slopes.</p>

<p>In the last 24-hours a foot of snow amounting to 1” of <a href="https://missoulaavalanche.org/2021/01/what-is-swe-snow-water-equivalent… water equivalent</u></a> (SWE)&nbsp; fell in the mountains south of Big Sky to West Yellowstone. Since Saturday this amounts to over 30” of snow. Yesterday, Ian and his partner rode into Taylor Fork and saw wind drifts shoot deep cracks far ahead on the trail. Dave was in Lionhead on Monday and triggered a “whumph” on his skis (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo9-92FngRA&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2…;). These two obvious signs of instability will continue today. They are warnings to not get into avalanche terrain. A few natural avalanches will be seen in the backcountry which is a red flag to stay off slopes since triggering avalanches is likely, no matter if you are on skis or a snowmobile. The snowpack depth doubled in some spots and even deeper wind-drifts are on many aspects and elevations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Today is a day to be careful around avalanche terrain. The fresh snow is inviting, but it needs time to stabilize and strengthen. For today the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all slopes.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>This morning folks around Bozeman and Big Sky are scrambling to find their snow shovels. It snowed as much in town as it did in the mountains, about 8” (.5-.7 SWE). West to northwest wind is gusty and blowing snow. The snowpack is 2-3 feet deep and weak layers of sugary, faceted snow are found in most of our snowpits (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/thin-snowpack-hyalite"><strong><u… of weak snow in Hyalite</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yJ1-BzM8Eg&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2… video</u></strong></a>). With last night’s snow and wind-loading these layers could be triggered. Wind drifts at the ridgelines and in gullies should be avoided today.&nbsp; Wind drifts will crack and avalanche from human triggers so keep your powder stoke in check. As evidence, yesterday a skier triggered a shallow and small wind slab north of Bridger Bowl on <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25142"><strong><u>the Ramp</u></strong></a>. For today the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all wind-loaded terrain since triggering wind-drifts will be easy. Slopes without a wind-load have a MODERATE danger.</p>

<p>The mountains around Cooke City got 2” since yesterday morning bringing their storm total since Saturday to 17-20” (1.7” <a href="https://missoulaavalanche.org/2021/01/what-is-swe-snow-water-equivalent…;). Wind was blowing most of that time loading and drifting slopes. There is a weak layer buried in the snowpack that Ian and Alex found last week (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nt5LOMI1PQ"><strong><u>Cooke City video 1</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/O29XGDZBL8c"><strong><u>Cooke City video 2</u></strong></a>).&nbsp; It was windy the last 4 days (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/stations/cooke-city"><strong><u>Lulu Pass Weather Station</u></strong></a>) and on slopes with wind-drifts this layer is our primary concern. It’s always a good practice to avoid wind-loaded slopes. Dig and assess the snowpack before committing to avalanche terrain and don’t let your guard down. For today the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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>