Today: Snow. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 21 mph decreasing to between 10 and 13 mph. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible. High near 29°F.

Tonight: Snow, mainly before 11:00 pm. North northwest wind between 8 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Low around 1°F. Wind chill values as low as -10°F.

Wednesday: North northeast wind between 6 and 8 mph. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27°F. Wind chill values as low as -10°F.

Wednesday Night: Northeast wind between 6 and 9 mph. Mostly clear, with a low around -1°F. Wind chill values as low as -15°F.

Thursday: East northeast wind between 5 and 8 mph. Sunny, with a high near 35°F.

Thursday Night: Northwest wind at 5 mph becoming east. Mostly clear, with a low around 12°F.

Friday: Calm wind. Sunny, with a high near 40°F.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13°F.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 40°F.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14°F.

Sunday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40°F.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14°F.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37°F.

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

Mountain Weather

This morning mountain temperatures are in the mid-20s Fahrenheit after hitting the low 40s Fahrenheit yesterday. Winds are still blowing west to southwest at 30-40 mph, but were blustery yesterday afternoon with gusts reaching the high 50s. A fast moving cold front with snowfall is hitting Bozeman as I type this at 6:00 a.m. Temperatures will drop into the upper teens Fahrenheit, winds will remain steady out of the west to southwest and the mountains will get a few hours of intense snowfall. I expect 4 to 6 inches will accumulate before skies clear tonight. High pressure and sunny skies are on the menu for the rest of the week.

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion:

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

Above freezing temperatures and direct sun melted the surface snow on east and south aspects during the last two days. Wet avalanche activity was minimal and last night's cold temperatures refroze the surface. The ski patrols around Big Sky and an observer in Cooke City reported winds were strong enough to load slopes; no small feat given the high density (ie. creamy powder) of the surface snow. Moonlight Ski Patrol reported these new wind slabs were adhering well to the old snow surface. This is good news, but our real concern is with deeper layers. A thin layer of faceted snow about two to three feet deep is found on most slopes throughout our advisory area. It's definitely getting stronger and will continue to get more difficult to trigger, but we can't forget it's there. Sitting near the ground on some slopes is depth hoar--large chains of sugary facets. On Sunday, these were breaking clean in my stability tests at the top of Truman Gulch on the backside of Bridger Bowl (video, photo). Although prevalent in the Bridger Range, we are also finding these on other slopes with a thin snow cover (Cooke City being the exception).

Snowmobilers triggered two avalanches on Cedar Mountain on Sunday and a few more on Buck Ridge over the weekend (photos). A few natural slides were seen in this area too, one yesterday low down in the trees on an east facing slope. Skiers in the southern Madison Range got a slope to avalanche from a cornice drop on Saturday. This slide released on depth hoar at the ground and had likely avalanched earlier.

Wind loads, especially with today's new snow, will add stress to these weaker layers. During and immediately after a storm are when the snowpack is the most sensitive to triggering. For today, especially in light of today's new snow and wind, the Avalanche Danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all wind-loaded slopes. All other slopes will have a MODERATE Avalanche Danger.

* * Accident Report * *

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

* * * Last Saturday Francis Skierka from Cut Bank, Montana died in an avalanche in northwestern Montana near Marias Pass. Sadly his wife, Andrea, is pregnant and due in two months. A memorial fund to help Andrea and her baby has been established: The Francis Skierka Family Memorial, Stockman Bank, 125 West Main, Cut Bank MT 59427, 406-873-9400. * * *

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.