Good morning. This is Mark Staples with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 a.m. The Community Food Co-op in partnership with the Friends of the Avalanche Center sponsors today’s advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas.
This morning temperatures were a few degrees below freezing at ridgetops. Winds increased overnight and were blowing 15-20 mph from the SW gusting 40 mph. Today winds will continue blowing 20-40 mph from the SW and high temperatures will be in the upper 30s F. Clouds will move over the area ahead of an approaching cold front. Snow will start falling late this afternoon and end tomorrow morning with 2-4 inches accumulating.
Bridger Range Gallatin Range Madison Range
Lionhead area near West Yellowstone Cooke City
Yesterday temperatures warmed near 40 degrees F under sunny skies which softened slopes with an ice crust but not enough to cause wet snow avalanches. The main avalanche problem is wind slabs from the new snow and west winds early this week. A few of these wind slabs caused avalanches (photo), but they should be well bonded now due to the warm weather. Even though winds increased overnight, I doubt they were able to transport more snow.
Clouds and an approaching cold front will limit heating of the snow and I don’t expect any wet avalanches today. Wind slabs from early this week should be mostly well bonded, but there may be a few on high elevation slopes where the snow remains dry that could still produce a small avalanche. Today the avalanche danger is rated LOW.
Eric will issue the final 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.