Over a foot of new snow is produicing natural activity in the mountains around Cooke City. Photo Beau Fredlund
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 12, 2012
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 12, 2012
11-12
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Feb 12, 2012
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sat Feb 11, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The southern Madison and southern Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
During last weekend's beautiful weather, small delicate facets formed throughout SW Montana near the snow surface. After Friday's snowfall they were buried and preserved in most places creating a new weak layer in the snowpack. The grid in the background is 1-2 mm in size. These particular crystals are called radiation recrystallized facets photographed by the YC Ski Patrol conducting avalanche research with the Engineering School at MSU.
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Fri Feb 10, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The southern Madison and southern Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
Now is a tough time. The snowpack has demonstrated its ability to produce avalanches including one seen yesterday in Sheep Creek near Cooke City (photo), but avalanche activity has subsided after nearly a week with no new snow.
This avalanche broke on a S/SE facing slope near 9200 ft in the Sheep Creek drainage just norh of Cooke City. I broke 2-5 ft deep and ran about 700 ft. Photo: B. Fredlund
GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Thu Feb 9, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The southern Madison and southern Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
When the danger is rising, assessing stability is relatively easy. When the danger is decreasing it becomes more difficult especially when the snowpack contains persistent (i.e. long-lasting) layers of faceted snow. Stability can vary drastically between similar slopes and sometimes across the same slope. This variability has increased during the last week.
This image shows snow water equivalent for the current year (black ), the 30 year average (dashed line) and previous years. According to the green line for 2007, the snowpack nearly doubled from early Feb to early March. According to the brown line for 2001, the snowpack increased by 50% starting in late March. Source: L. Zukiewicz, NRCS
GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Feb 8, 2012
Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion
The southern Madison and southern Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and the mountains around Cooke City:
Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Feb 8, 2012