Good morning. This is Doug Chabot with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Friday, April 5 at 7:30 a.m. Bridger Bowl, in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center, sponsor today’s advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
At 5 a.m. mountain temperatures at 9,000 feet are in the mid-thirties with ridgetop winds blowing 20-30 mph out of the west under cloudy skies. Today will…rain. There, I said it, the dreaded “r” word. And maybe even thunder. Freezing levels will drop to 6,000 feet tonight and rain will turn to snow. By morning I expect 2-4 inches. The weekend should be cold and snowy, so put away your shorts and flip-flops and find your ice scraper; I’m guessing you’ll need it.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
More wet avalanches occurred yesterday with mountain temperatures reaching 50F. Last night was the fourth evening without a freeze. Warm temperatures are infiltrating the snowpack, melting bonds and turning things soggy. Yesterday, a sizeable wet avalanche came down in closed terrain at the Yellowstone Club (photo) and a large wet slab released on a southeast facing slope near the Sphinx Mountain (photo). Mark and I went riding and had one of the snowmobiles break through the barely frozen surface and sink to the ground in wet snow. Boy, was that fun.
So few people are heading into the backcountry today we probably know them all by name. Higher elevations, north facing slopes still have coveted stashes of dry snow, but getting to them is no easy task. Like Frodo searching for Precious, there will be dangerous gauntlets you must pass through to claim the goods, especially if it rains. Rainfall weakens the snow quickly and will trigger avalanches on all aspects.
Unless you feel like suffering, I recommend waiting to head out until the snow refreezes this weekend. Wet avalanches will occur today. The avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE and could reach HIGH if it rains. There have been wet avalanches every day this week. Check out our photos page recent pictures.
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.
Our final advisory of the season is this Sunday, April 7th.