18-19

<p>Friday’s snowstorm dropped 5-7” in the northern ranges and 2-3” in the southern areas with westerly wind (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/subtle-wind-ripples">photo</a></s…; <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/new-cornice-growth">photo</a></st…;). Since then, the only avalanche activity reported has been new snow sluffing with ski cuts (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/19073">incident</a></strong&gt;). There have been no avalanches breaking on deeper layers. Throughout our forecast area we have a hodge-podge of surface texture: surface hoar (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/surface-hoar-5">photo</a></strong…;), small faceted (weak) grains and crusts on sunny aspects. Given the snow surface may change a few more times we won’t know the stability ramifications until it gets buried.</p>

<p>The deepest snow is in the northern mountains and Cooke City (2-4’) which is also where most of our field observations are from. Overall stability is good; however, an occasional snowpit test shows a weak layer of facets breaking clean in the snowpack (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/18/ramp-snowpit-profile">snowpit profile</a></strong>). Treat this as a reminder to dig, test and not make assumptions about what lies under your feet. We are still forming an initial impression on snow structure and stability, and the observations and pictures sent to us are extremely valuable.</p>

<p>New this season, we added hyperlinks to the <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">Weather and Avalanche Log</a></strong> and a new Menu item &lt;<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">Avalanches and SnowPits</a></strong>&gt; with information on avalanche activity and incidents.</p>

<p>If you get outside send us an observation via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a&gt;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>

<p>Winter has returned and so has the increased potential for triggering avalanches. The mountains around Bozeman and Big Sky were favored by the recent storm and will be the most likely to produce unstable conditions. The mountains around West Yellowstone and Cooke City didn’t pick up as much snow, but could still produce isolated areas of instability. The most suspect slopes across the advisory area will be those with wind drifted snow (<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photo</a></strong></u&gt;, <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/photos">photo</a></strong></u&gt;).</p>

<p>Winds decreased overnight, but blew hard during the onset of the storm. Upper elevation slopes leeward to west-northwest winds will be likely areas to encounter fresh wind slabs. In the Bridger Range, winds shifted to the east which could produce isolated areas of wind drifted snow on the west side of the ridge. Wind slabs won’t be exceptionally large, but will be touchy to human triggers. Even small slides can have severe consequences, especially when associated with terrain traps such as gullies, trees, or rock bands. This problem can be mitigated by making conservative terrain selections and assessing the snowpack carefully.</p>

<p>Dry loose avalanches will be another problem to look out for on steep slopes. On sunny aspects, the new snow was deposited on a thin ice crust that formed prior to the storm. This crust will make a smooth surface for the new slide. These slides won’t entrain a large&nbsp;volume of snow, but could pack enough punch to knock you over or push you into unfavorable terrain. Fortunately, avalanche activity will stay confined to new and wind-blown snow as the underlying snowpack is generally stable (<u><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixeUg5j4s8Q&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Check out new hyperlinks to the <u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log">Weather and Avalanche Log</a></strong></u> and a new Menu item &lt;<u><strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">Avalanches and SnowPits</a></strong></u>&gt; with information on avalanche activity and incidents.</p>

<p>If you get outside send us an observation via our website, email (<u><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></u&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>