18-19

<p>Near Cooke City received 6” of snow equal to 0.4” <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a> (SWE), and near Big Sky and Hyalite got 2-3” equal to 0.2” SWE. This new snow makes loose snow avalanches possible. These avalanches can slide long distances on firm, refrozen surfaces below the new snow, and they will become more likely with the first rays of sunshine and above freezing temperatures. This afternoon increasing wind will form small fresh drifts that can be triggered by a person. Be cautious of steep, wind loaded slopes if you see blowing and drifting snow or cracking of fresh drifts.</p>

<p>The snowpack is generally stable below the new snow, and avalanches today will mostly be small. Even small slides are hazardous or deadly if they carry you over cliffs, rocks or through trees. Before riding steep terrain carefully assess the stability of the new snow and consequences of being caught in a slide. Today, new snow makes avalanches possible and avalanche danger is <strong>MODERATE</strong>.</p>

<p>The Bridger Range, southern Madison and Gallatin ranges and mountains near West Yellowstone received&nbsp;less than an inch of snow, and this morning the snowpack is generally stable. On mid-low elevation slopes and slopes that receive direct sun there is a stable, supportable frozen crust on the surface of a wet snowpack. On high elevation shady slopes the snowpack is dry and generally stable (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvYdU9j52zM&amp;index=2&amp;t=0s&amp;li…;

<p>This afternoon above freezing temperatures and sunshine will increase the possibility of wet snow avalanches. Yesterday Ian toured north of Bridger Bowl and Eric toured in Beehive Basin. They both found the crust on the snow surface was supportable and stable for most of the day. This morning cloudy skies will create similar conditions. Avoid steep slopes if the snow surface becomes wet and unsupportable, or if you sink above your boots in wet snow (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvYdU9j52zM&amp;index=2&amp;t=0s&amp;li…;

<p>Over the past week there were natural and human triggered wet slab avalanches during warm, sunny days (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photos page</a></strong></u>), including one that partially buried a rider (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20467">details</a></strong></u&gt;) and one that surprised a couple skiers (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20485">details</a></strong></u&gt;). Today similar avalanches are possible if above freezing temperatures and sunshine create a wet snowpack. Avalanche danger is <strong>LOW</strong> this morning and will rise to <strong>MODERATE</strong> this afternoon.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>The past week of daily above freezing temperatures and sun created a wet snowpack on mid-low elevation slopes and slopes that receive direct sunshine. Overnight, below freezing temperatures formed a frozen crust on the snow surface which makes the snowpack generally stable this morning. Today, above freezing temperatures and some sunshine will melt this crust and make wet snow avalanches possible. Cloud cover and snowfall this afternoon will reduce wet snow avalanche activity, but any rain will weaken the snowpack and increase the chances of natural and human triggered avalanches. If the snow surface is wet and unsupportive move to lower angle or cooler, shady slopes.</p>

<p>Yesterday afternoon skiers in the northern Bridger Range triggered a small, powerful wet slab (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20485">details</a></strong&gt;). This is a reminder that wet slab season is here,&nbsp;and is similar to a timber sled triggered avalanche that buried a rider up to his waist on Thursday (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20467">details</a></strong&gt;). Yesterday we went to Saddle Peak and found a wet, unstable snowpack on sunny slopes and the surface crust melted by late morning. We found a dry, generally stable snowpack on high elevation shady slopes (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvYdU9j52zM&amp;index=2&amp;t=0s&amp;li…;

<p>See our <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photos page</a></strong> for a look at recent natural and human triggered wet slab avalanches. Today these types of slides are possible on slopes where the snow surface is wet and unsupportive. Even small wet slabs can be powerful and the debris sets up like concrete. Be cautious of steep terrain above you where natural wet slides could start, similar to a slide on the Sourdough Canyon trail last Thursday (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20471">details</a></strong&gt;). Anticipate decreasing stability as temperatures warm through the day, especially on low elevation slopes and slopes that receive direct sun. The avalanche danger is <strong>LOW</strong> this morning and will rise to <strong>MODERATE</strong> this afternoon.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <u><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a></u&gt;, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>