20-21

<p>Strong winds have grown existing drifts and also built new drifts of cohesive snow sitting on a weak foundation. Yesterday (before the winds picked up) we got reports of multiple slides triggered by snowmobiles, groomers, snowplows, and with explosives at the ski resorts (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/groomer-triggered-road-cuts"><str…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/small-snowmobile-triggered-slides…; </strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/snowplow-triggered-slide-near-big…;). These slides were generally small, but are a clear indication that the snow is unstable and that the conditions for larger slides exist. The very strong winds have likely built drifts in unusual places further below ridgelines than is typical. Continued strong winds today will continue to build new drifts, so stay on alert for changing conditions through the day. Avoid steep, windloaded slopes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Human triggered avalanches are likely on wind-loaded slopes and the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. On all other slopes the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

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<p>There is less new snow available to drift in the Bridger and Northern Gallatin ranges. Drifts will generally be thinner and more isolated, but no less dangerous where there is a thick slab of wind drifted snow. Weak snow in the lower snowpack is widespread, so anywhere these drifts form they are likely to be unstable. Unfortunately, these weak layers will not stabilize quickly, so plan to stay on alert for them for the foreseeable future. Watch for and avoid heavily wind-drifted slopes.</p>

<p>The avalanche danger today is MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wind drifts of new snow are also the primary concern around Cooke City, In general, drifts are not building on top of snow that is as weak as in other areas. However, there are spots with weaker snow, as evidenced by several natural slides that broke west of Cooke City earlier in the week (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/23292"><strong><u>photo</u></strong></…;). Alex was in Cooke yesterday and recommended digging below the new snow to find out what it’s sitting on before riding steep slopes (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71V0bipTxfY"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;) Today, human triggered avalanches are possible and the avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes and LOW on all others.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>