Good morning. This is Doug Chabot with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 a.m. Today’s advisory is sponsored by the Short family in memory of Peter Maxwell who died in an avalanche in the Flint Creek Range on this day a year ago. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Sunny skies and above average temperatures are the norm right now. Mountain temperatures reached into the low 40s yesterday with southwest winds blowing15-20 mph and gusts of 30 mph. This morning temperatures have cooled into the upper 20s. Today will reach close to 50F under sunny skies with light southwest winds. Clouds and isolated showers are expected Wednesday night, but until then, enjoy the summer.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range Lionhead Area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Everyone reading this advisory is probably on the edge of their seat wondering, “What’s the avalanche danger today?” Well, I won’t prolong the suspense, I’ll just tell you up front: the dry snow avalanche danger is LOW and avalanches are unlikely today.
Without new snow or loose snowflakes to blow around, the snowpack is stable and in a deep sleep, like a coma. The only avalanche concern is on slopes that formed wind slabs last week, but that concern is remote. Some of these wind slabs are sitting on top of small facets and could avalanche, but this instability is very isolated and any slide would be small. I’m mentioning it as part of my due diligence and transparency as a forecaster--if I’m taking note of it, so should you. Eric explains the current snowpack and stability in a video we made in Flanders Creek up Hyalite. We found thin wind slabs with facets underneath, but the structure was not unstable (photo).
A solid freeze last night will hinder wet avalanche activity. I only expect loose wet avalanches on steep and sunny terrain, especially around rock outcroppings. Sinking into wet snow above your boot tops along with large, growing pinwheels of snow rolling downhill are signs of wet snow instability. Today, the wet snow avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE on all slopes getting sun.
I 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
1-hour Avalanche Awareness, Bozeman, REI, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 11.