Good morning. This is Doug Chabot with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 a.m. Bozeman Audi, in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center, sponsors today’s advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Yesterday, under sunny skies, mountain temperatures hit the high forties with southwest winds blowing 15-20 mph. Clouds rolled in last night and at 5 a.m. temperatures are near freezing except in the Bridger Range where they are in the upper thirties. Today will be mostly cloudy with mountain temperatures once again skirting 50F as winds remain light out of the southwest. Late tonight an inch of snow may fall, or a little rain depending on the freezing level which is forecasted to be around 7,500 feet. Light precipitation will continue into the morning; enough accumulation to be annoying but not enough for a round of high fives.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead Area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
There has not been snow 12 of the past 13 days, our longest drought all winter. Yesterday’s warm temperatures softened the snow surface and a few wet loose avalanches released (photo), but there was not widespread activity. Mark and I rode into Teepee Basin wondering if the six inch thick layer of facets on the snow surface has survived the record warmth. On many slopes it has. Anyplace we found “powder” we realized it was really recrystallized snow. Faceted, weak snow at the surface is not an issue until we get a substantial storm. On Sunday around Hyalite, Eric and I found these facets capped by a thin wind slab, but the overall stability was very good (video).
Even with very warm temperatures forecasted, the clouds will inhibit wet avalanche activity today. The snowpack is generally strong and stable and the avalanche danger is LOW on all slopes.
Mark will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. If you have any snowpack or avalanche observations drop us a line at mtavalanche@gmail.com or call us at 587-6984.
AVALANCHE EDUCATION and EVENTS
TONIGHT: 1-hour Avalanche Awareness, Bozeman, REI, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 11.