24-25

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today’s avalanche concerns are all going to within the 5-9” of new snow that fell since Wednesday morning.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind Slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the primary concern. The new snow has been drifted into cohesive slabs by north and east winds since snowfall began. With an easterly component to the winds, be on the lookout for drifts in unusual locations. Some of these drifts will be easily triggered today and some will have already started to bond. Steering around the deepest wind drifts is an easy way to avoid much of the avalanche hazard today. You can also quickly dig down to check how well they’ve bonded to the old snow surface. Cracks shooting out in front of your skis or sled are clear signs you’ve found an unstable drift.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With clear skies today, the new snow will get wet on sunny slopes and you’ll be able to trigger </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wet Loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>. These slides will run on top of the hard crusts underneath the recent snow. Feel for the snow surface getting wet and sticky and look for rollerballs and pinwheels as clear signs that Wet Loose avalanches are imminent. Most of these slides probably won’t have enough volume to bury you, but they can still be surprisingly powerful, plenty strong enough to push you off a cliff or into rocks. Plan to move off steep sunny slopes later in the day, as the snow gets wet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With both wet and dry avalanches possible, the avalanche danger is MODERATE today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With little new snow and a firm, solidly refrozen crust underneath, avalanches are unlikely and the avalanche danger is LOW. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look out if you find more than a skiff of new snow, in which case you might be able to trigger small Wind Slab or Wet Loose avalanches.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> will be the most likely slides to trigger today. With gusty east winds this morning and stronger north-northeast winds expected today, wind slabs will grow larger and easier to trigger as the day progresses. HEADS UP - easterly winds will create abnormal loading patterns.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Storm slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> will be something to consider especially as more snow accumulates. The storm is</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#right-side-up-storm"><spa…; right-side-up</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> this morning which is good thing. Today, brief periods of higher snowfall rates or a little bit of warming could create a slightly cohesive slab in the new snow. Look for signs of instability in the new snow by looking for cracking, jumping on small test slopes, and stepping above your partner’s tracks. At a minimum expect sluffing of the new snow.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind loaded slopes. Seek out soft powder on slopes untouched by the wind where the danger is MODERATE. Assess stability in the new snow before getting into steeper terrain.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> will also be a concern in the Gallatin and Madison Ranges but with less new snow they will be shallower. Otherwise, riding slopes untouched by winds may be “dust on crust” and there will only be minor sluffing of the new snow on the hard icy surface underneath.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With the snowpack refrozen and no new snow this morning, skiing and riding conditions will be a bit rugged. Avalanches are unlikely and the avalanche danger is LOW.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The main avalanche concern today is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>. Temperatures did not drop to freezing in many areas overnight, so the snowpack will have a thin refrozen crust only an inch or two thick at most, if at all. Any crusts will melt quickly with sunshine and warm temperatures before clouds move in this afternoon, and it will be possible to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes, especially those that receive direct sunshine. Natural avalanches might initiate near rock outcrops</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>on steep, sunny slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Without a good refreeze overnight there is potential for some larger wet loose avalanches. Even small avalanches will pose a threat where they can push you over cliffs, into rocks, or carry you down a long steep slope.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Assess the snow surface for wet snow instabilities, and plan to be off and out from under steep, sunny slopes before the sunshine further weakens the snow surface. Any rain this afternoon could also further weaken the snow surface. If you plan to travel on steep slopes, look for shadier slopes with a thicker refrozen crust or dry snow. Sinking past your ankle in wet snow, or seeing rollerballs, pinwheels or natural avalanches means it is time to find lower angle terrain or slopes with a colder, dry or refrozen snow surface.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Near Cooke City, you may encounter isolated unstable wind drifts on upper elevation slopes where snow surfaces remain soft and dry.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Also, be cautious on slopes below </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>large overhanging cornices</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> and give cornices space while traveling on ridgelines above, as they have become weak and easier to break from the heat and sunshine.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The main concern are wet snow avalanches on sun-exposed slopes where a few large avalanches are possible. Assess the snow surface for wet snow instabilities and isolated drifts, especially in steep consequential terrain. The avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>