Good Morning. This is Alex Marienthal with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Monday, April 3rd at 7:00 a.m. Today’s advisory is sponsored by Bridger Bowl and Buck Products. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
Grab an extra layer for temperatures in the single digits to teens F this morning and highs in the 20s F today. Overnight, the mountains got 1-2” of new snow with 3-5” near West Yellowstone. Wind this morning is northwest at 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Today will be mostly cloudy with snow showers increasing this afternoon, and northwest wind at 5-15 mph today will shift northerly at 10-20 mph tonight. Tonight, the northern mountains and Cooke City will get 3-5” of low density snow with 1-2” near West Yellowstone.
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone
The mountains near West Yellowstone got 3-5” of snow last night, and moderate wind this morning is forming fresh drifts of snow that could be triggered by a skier or rider. Be extra cautious of steep wind loaded slopes, or avoid them altogether. Cornices are huge and can break far back from the edge. Give these monsters a lot of distance and avoid slopes directly below. The avalanche danger today is MODERATE on recently wind loaded slopes and LOW on all other slopes.
Bridger Range Madison Range Gallatin Range Cooke City
Rapid change is normal this time of year. Doug was in Beehive yesterday and made this video that explains daily changes to expect. Today, freezing temperatures with a dusting of low density snow and light wind feels like mid-winter compared to the warmth and sunshine over the weekend. Snow last night fell on firm, frozen surfaces with the exception of slopes sheltered from sun and heat that maintained dry snow this weekend.
Fresh drifts of snow are unlikely or small today due to light wind and minimal new snow. Wind slabs that formed early in the weekend are stubborn to trigger, but possible. A group of climbers triggered a wind pocket below cliffs near Beehive Peak on Saturday (photo, photo, photo), and on Friday a skier triggered a wind slab off a high ridgeline on Mt. Blackmore (photo). Be cautious of steep slopes near ridgelines and below cliffs that are commonly drifted with snow. Avoid suspect slopes altogether where the consequences of a slide are deadly, such as over cliffs or steep exposed slopes.
Cold temperatures and cloudy skies today will inhibit wet avalanche activity. Brief periods of sunshine could moisten snow on south facing slopes with potential for small wet loose avalanches, but avalanches today are mostly limited to recent dry snow. The avalanche danger today is LOW.
Doug will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning by 7:30 a.m. Our last advisory of the season will be Sunday, April 9th.
We rely on your field observations. Send us an email with simple weather and snowpack information along the lines of what you might share with your friends: How much new snow? Was the skiing/riding any good? Did you see any avalanches or signs of instability? Was snow blowing at the ridgelines? If you have snowpit or test data we'll take that too, but this core info is super helpful! Email us at mtavalanche@gmail.com or leave a message at 406-587-6984.
MAY 4: Give Big Gallatin Valley
The Friends of the Avalanche Center are one of the recipients of the Give Big Gallatin Valley campaign. It is a 1-day fundraising event for local non-profits on May 4, so mark your calendars. The Friends will send reminders as the day approaches: https://www.givebiggv.org/organizations/friends-of-the-gallatin-national-forest-avalanche-center