Good Morning. This is Eric Knoff with mountain weather and snowpack information issued on Monday, November 8. This bulletin will be updated as conditions change.
At 8 am this morning 5 inches of new snow has already been recorded at the Yellowstone Club study plot located at 9,400 ft (Yellowstone Club). Carrot Basin Snotel site (NRCS SNOTEL) to the south of the Club has picked up 3 inches while the mountains around West Yellowstone and Cooke City have picked up a trace to two inches. The Bridger Range has only picked a trace, but that will change throughout the day.
Currently mountain temperatures are in the high twenties to low thirties and winds are blowing out of the W-SW at 10-20 mph. Snow levels will continue to drop throughout the day as an approaching cold front pushes into our region from the west. We can expect to see 2-5 inches of accumulation in the valleys by tomorrow morning with 10-12 inches falling above 8,000 ft.
Over the past two weeks warm, clear weather has helped settle and stabilize the snow that fell in late October. The snow that still exists from the October storms now offers a variety of snow surfaces for this new snow to fall on. Aspects that have been exposed to the sun will likely have a stiff crust making a nice firm surface for this new snow to slide. Dry snow on the highest, north facing slopes has potentially been capped by a thin layer of surface hoar.
As the snow continues to fall the hazard will increase on steep slopes where fresh deposits of wind blown snow will accumulate on slick or weak old snow surfaces. Fresh soft slabs forming on leeward aspects, specifically along ridgelines, will make human triggered avalanches possible. Avalanches in the lower elevations will be unlikely.
If you are heading into the backcountry be extra aware of the terrain you are traveling in and the consequences of a slide. Avalanches do not discriminate: Whether you are a skier, hunter, climber or snowmobiler remember to always use good procedures in the backcountry. If you have any snowpack or avalanche observations, drop us a line at mtavalanche@gmail.com or call us at 587-6984.
Education
The Friends of GNFAC in cooperation with REI will be hosting a FREE Bridger Bowl sidecountry avalanche awareness presentation. Wed, November 10, 6:30pm - 7:00pm REI, Bozeman
1 Hour Avalanche Awareness Class - Thu, November 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm - The Basecamp, Helena, MT (map)
1 Hour Avalanche Awareness Class -Thu, November 11, 7pm - 8pm -Northern Lights Trading Company, Bozeman (map).
Avalanche Awareness: Avalaunch - Fri, November 12, 5pm - 7pm - C'mon Inn, 6139 E Valley Center Rd, Bozeman (map)
1 Hour Avalanche Awareness Class - Wed, November 17, 7:30pm - 8:30pm - Grizzly Outfitters, Big Sky, MT (map)
1 Hour Avalanche Awareness Class -Thu, November 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Basecamp, Billings, MT (map)