19-20

<p>Recent snow and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. 10 inches to 2 ft of new snow fell in the mountains earlier this week (measuring 0.8-1.3” <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/taxonomy/term/451">snow water equivalent</a>). Winds yesterday were stronger than expected, gusting into the 30s mph out of the west. These strong winds rapidly built cornices and heavily wind loaded many slopes (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/cornice-growth-bridger-ridge">pho…;).</p>

<p>Yesterday we got reports of skier triggered and natural avalanches on wind loaded slopes in the Bridger Range, in Hyalite, across the Northern Madison Range, near Cooke City, and down by Quake Lake (see the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">Weather and Avalanche Log</a> for details and photos). There were more than 10 slides reported yesterday. This is a clear indication that the wind drifted snow is unstable. These slides were all breaking 1-2 ft deep within the new snow from earlier this week. On many slopes they were sliding on ice crusts that formed last week (<a href="https://youtu.be/S_hEBqY67-g"><strong>video</strong></a&gt;). Avoid wind-loaded slopes where these slides will be easily triggered again today.</p>

<p>Clouds building through the day should keep wet snow from being too much of an issue, but if skies stay blue into the afternoon, be heads up on sunny slopes as the snow surface gets wet. Pinwheels, roller balls, and the feeling of sticky snow beneath your feet are all signs that the conditions for wet avalanches are developing. If the new snow does become wet, it will slide easily and far on the ice crusts beneath it.</p>

<p>Throughout our advisory area, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded slopes and MODERATE on all other slopes.</p>

<p>We plan to end daily avalanche forecasts on Sunday, April 5^th and continue with general bulletins every Monday and Friday through April. Over the next week, we will take down weather stations and will no longer receive observations from guides and ski patrol. We need help gathering field data. Please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an observation form, email us (mtavalanche@gmail.com), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>