22-23

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Triggering avalanches 2-4 ft deep in the recent and wind drifted snow remains possible today. More than 20” of snow fell in Cooke City earlier in the week accompanied by strong winds. A number of natural avalanches broke during the storm (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/27293"><span><span><span><strong><span…; </span></span></strong></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/27300"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). The storm snow is slowly settling. Look out for shooting cracks as a sign that the new and drifted snow remains unstable. It’s been almost two weeks since the last slide broke on deeper weak layers, but even the slight possibility of such a slide should lead you to tone down your terrain ambitions a bit today (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/27114"><span><span><span><strong><span…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/27148"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). The avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanches breaking on weak layers low in the snowpack are the primary concern. Weak layers buried 3-4 ft deep are present on most slopes and in many places are capped by a cohesive slab. There hasn’t been recent activity on these layers, but our stability tests are showing they still hold the potential to slide (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNMts6wt0JQ"><span><span><span><strong>… Lake video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Dig and test these layers. If there is any doubt - stay out of avalanche terrain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wind drifts of recent snow could also break in somewhat shallower avalanches (but still plenty deep to be a serious concern). Avoid wind drifts entirely or check to make sure they’re well bonded before committing to steep terrain. Triggering avalanches remain possible and the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Please share avalanche, snowpack or weather observations via our</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_obs"><span><span><span><span>…; </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span><span>website</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, email (</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>mtavalanche@gmail.com</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>In Island Park, avalanches breaking on weak layers low in the snowpack are the primary concern today. Dig and test these layers. If there is any doubt - stay out of avalanche terrain. Wind drifts of recent snow could also break in somewhat shallower avalanches (but still plenty deep to be a serious concern). Avoid wind drifts entirely or check to make sure they’re well bonded before committing to steep terrain.</p>