Today / March 1st: Snow showers likely. West southwest wind between 15 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19°F. Wind chill values as low as -5°F.

Tonight: Scattered snow showers, mainly before 11:00 pm. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9°F. Wind chill values as low as -30°F.

Friday: A 50% chance of snow. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 9 to 12 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 19°F. Wind chill values as low as -25°F.

Friday Night: A 50% chance of snow. Breezy, with a west wind between 17 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5°F. Wind chill values as low as -15°F.

Saturday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11:00 am. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 16 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Cloudy, with a high near 27°F.

Saturday Night: A 50% chance of snow. West southwest wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15°F.

Sunday: A 20% chance of snow. West wind between 13 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32°F.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14°F.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32°F.

Monday Night: A 30% chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16°F.

Tuesday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 27°F.

Tuesday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4°F.

 Hazardous Weather  Gibbon Falls Forecast  Mammoth Forecast  Midway Forecast  Norris Forecast  Old Faithful Forecast 

Mountain Weather

Since yesterday afternoon the Lionhead area received 6 to 8 inches of new snow, the mountains near Cooke City and the Taylor Fork received 6 inches, and the mountains near Big Sky and Bozeman received 3 to 4 inches. Yesterday strong westerly winds averaged 20 mph with gusts of 40 mph. This morning temperatures dropped into the single digits Fahrenheit and will rise into the teens Fahrenheit today. More snow will fall with 2 to 4 inches accumulating by tomorrow morning. Winds will blow from the West and Southwest averaging 10 mph and gusting to 20 mph.

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion:

The Bridger, Madison, and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone and mountains around Cooke City:

New snow and strong winds: Fresh drifts and wind slabs will fracture and produce avalanches throughout the advisory area. While climbing in Hyalite Canyon yesterday, Eric had several wind drifts collapse and he triggered a very small slab near the ice climb. Because he was well below treeline in relatively safe terrain, he said these signs were "nothing dangerous but a definite clue as to what's happening in other terrain." A skier near Cooke City also noted that "fresh drifts were becoming sensitive."

Near surface facets buried 1.5 to 3 feet deep: In addition to fresh wind slabs, a thin layer of near surface facets that formed in early to mid February will also fracture and produce larger avalanches. This layer exists throughout the advisory area (photo, video) and produced both natural and human triggered avalanches last weekend. Today with the stress of new snow and wind-blown snow, this layer will remain near its breaking point. Although this layer exists on most slopes, its strength varies.

I have analyzed this layer in many snowpits during the last two weeks. In some cases it has given stable results in stability tests yet produced an avalanche on a nearby slope. In general do not trust it. Even if you make a very thorough stability evaluation and decide to ski or ride a slope, stack the odds of survival in your favor by selecting a slope with a clean run out zone and slope angles under 35 degrees.

For today, new snow, recent wind loading, widespread and persistent weak layers, and recent avalanche activity (photo) indicate dangerous avalanche conditions. Some natural avalanches will occur but most slopes will need a skier or rider to trigger an avalanche and today the Avalanche Danger is rated CONSIDERABLE.

* * Accident Report * *

The accident reports for the avalanche fatality near Cooke City and the slide on Saddle Peak are now available. See this link.

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: 406-587-6984.

For Photos, Videos and More Detailed Information related to this report, Please Visit the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

~ EVENT ~

31st Annual Pinhead Classic

Come to Bridger Bowl on Saturday, March 17th (Saint Patrick's Day) with telemark skis, AT skis, alpine skis, snowboards, split boards, or even snow blades. The theme is Snowpocalypse based on the wildly popular Mayan 2012 apocalypse. $30 gets you into the races, a pint glass, t-shirt, a good time, a raffle ticket, and food by Cafe Fresco. Pre-register at Mystery Ranch or Grizzly Ridge: March 11-16. Visit http://pinheadclassic.com/ or the Pinhead Facebook Page for more info.

Beacon Parks

The Friends of the Avalanche Center installed a Beacon Training Park outside West Yellowstone. It's located south of town on the main snowmobile trail. Stop by and do a quick practice before heading off into the mountains!

EDUCATION, EVENTS, PHOTOS, SNOWPITS, and VIDEOS

1. We've recently uploaded more photos and snowpits to our web site, more than what are linked in the advisory.

2. We're creating a series of "How To…" stability test videos. So far we've got clips on performing a CT and ECT. There are located under Stability Tests on the Resources page.

3. Check out all our education programs, Click Here.

Information provided by Doug Chabot, Mark Staples, and Eric Knoff from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. For Events and Education, or Photos and Videos, please visit the Avalanche Centers Website!

If you have any snowpack or avalanche observations, drop them a line at mtavalanche@gmail.com or call: 406-587-6984.

For detailed Avalanche Terms utilized here, please see the Avalanche Glossary.