Good morning. This is Mark Staples with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Friday, April 10, at 7:30 a.m. Gallatin County Search and Rescue in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center sponsors today’s advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
The mountains near Big Sky and Bozeman received a trace of snow yesterday afternoon. This morning temperatures were near 20 degrees F with winds blowing 10 mph gusting 20 mph from the SW. Today will be sunny with high temperatures near 40 degrees F and winds continuing 10-20 mph shifting to the W. Strong winds should arrive on Saturday followed by a little snowfall Saturday night.
Bridger Range Gallatin Range Madison Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
The only avalanche problems today are isolated wind slabs (photo) formed by new snow and west winds early this week. They should have mostly stabilized by now. Warm sunny weather over the last few days melted the snow surface on many slopes which will have an ice crust this morning. High elevation north facing slopes may not have this crust. If you find dense spring powder on these slopes it should be well bonded. Watch for places where there is a hard wind slab especially if it is punchy and has softer snow underneath it.
Avalanche conditions are generally safe and today the avalanche danger is rated LOW.
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.
The last advisory of the season will be on Sunday, April 12.