Trip Planning for Northern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today3″ | 20-44 SW
Mar 15 3″ | 17-31 S
Mar 14 10″ | 20-30 NW
9400′     3/16 at 9:00
17 ℉
S - 31 mph, Gusts 44
3 " New
8880′     03/16 at 08:00
19℉
58″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Strong wind today will create fresh slabs that are easy to trigger, making human-triggered wind slab avalanches likely. On non-wind-loaded slopes loose snow avalanches are possible and can run long distances on the crust below the recent snow. Be cautious and avoid wind-loaded slopes today. Watch for a textured or pillowy snow surface, or cracking out from your feet or skis as signs of wind-loading.

Past 5 Days

Wed Mar 12

Low
Thu Mar 13

Moderate
Fri Mar 14

Moderate
Sat Mar 15

Moderate
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Madison
Other place
Wet Loose Avalanche Pioneer Mountain
Incident details include images
Other place
WL-N-R1-D2
Aspect: S
Coordinates: 45.6553, -110.5580
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Natural point release avalanche observed from the YC. Occurred out of bounds on the South side of Pioneer Mountain. 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Beehive Basin
Cornice Fall Avalanche in Beehive
Beehive Basin
C-ARc-R1-D2
Elevation: 9,100
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 45.3000, -111.3990
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Kicked off a wind slab avalanche 25ft wide on the west ridge of beehive basin. The wind slab was around 8-10ft deep and the debris slid almost to the flat a few hundred feet down the slope. The slide occurred around 9100ft on the east aspect. Neither me nor my partner were carried or caught in the slide

 

The windslab that broke off was about 8-10 feet tall. It was mostly a huge section of a cornice that broke and the slope it fell down onto seemed to propagate a few inches down as well. The majority of the debris was from the cornice.


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Small PWL Avalanche in First Yellow Mule
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-AMu-R1-D1-O
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.1719, -111.3800
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

In nearly 45 miles of riding, we noted two avalanches. Both breaking on persistent weak layers a few feet down in the snowpack. The first was a small north-facing pocket in the First Yellow Mule (R1-D1) that was snowmobile triggered. It looked to be around a week old. The second was a larger avalanche (R3-D2), east-facing, deep in Muddy Creek. This was drifted in and likely broke around 2.5 weeks ago during the last significant storm cycle.


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • Came across a old slide in the hell roaring drainage heading towards Gallatin.  East facing. Happened sometime before the recent snow but not long ago. Initial crown seemed to be 12-18 inches and stepped down further down the slope. Was a fairly large debris pile. Photo: S Knowles

     

  • Old Avalanche spotted from Wilson yesterday looking  North. Possible cornice fall trigger during the warm up but difficult to tell as it was quite a ways away.  Photo attached. Photo: Anonymous

  • PWL avalanche (R3-D2), east-facing, deep in Muddy Creek. This was drifted in and likely broke around 2.5 weeks ago during the last significant storm cycle. Photo: GNFAC

  • We dug a snowpit near the lower flank of the avalanche path and noted that these weak layers had gained strength over time. We did get propagation on a stout melt-freeze crust near the surface (ECTP5) but did not get propagation lower down on faceted grains. Photo: GNFAC

  • We saw a small north-facing avalanche in the First Yellow Mule (R1-D1) that was snowmobile triggered. It looked to be around a week old. Photo: GNFAC

  • Natural point release avalanche observed from the YC. Occurred out of bounds on the South side of Pioneer Mountain. Photo: YC Ski Patrol

  • From obs.: "Saw a recent cornice triggered wind slab off of Hardscrabble Peak, crown looked fairly fresh. There was a second crown line below the rock band. Conditions were very windy, with snow still being transported. Most snow surfaces were wind affected, but saw no cracking or collapsing." Photo: F. Miller

  • Cracking in the new and wind-drifted snow on the Ridge of Middle Basin. These resulted in a narrow avalanche that ran quite far. 

  • Photo: GNFAC

  • Buck Ridge, snowmobile triggered avalanche. Propagated in the storm slab. Photo: C Erhard

  • Swift Current lift shut down all day Wednesday 2/5/25 by ski patrol

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • Strong winds blew all day from the SW, sustaining 30mph at ridgelines. Snow was actively transported all day by winds, and plumes were visible on far away ridgelines and summits. Photo: GNFAC

  • This slab from my ski cut was about 20” deep and 60’ wide. It’s NE facing so pretty wind blown. Photo: S Budac

  • Cracking and isolated pockets of wind slab in Beehive. 

  • Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.

  • We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Saw this cool illustration of wind deposition, scouring and unaffected snow on a ridge line near the top of Bear Creek at the far end of Buck Ridge. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Photo: M R

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Jan 24, Buck Ridge... We dug on an E facing slope at 9,400'. Snow depth was 155cm (5 feet) and we had an ECTN12 on the surface hoar layer 10" down. Photo GNFAC

  • Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

  • Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

  • Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

  • Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

  • Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker

  • On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.

    The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School. 

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • Triggered slide in Beaver Creek 1 Jan 2024

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

Videos- Northern Madison

WebCams


8800' Camera, Lone Peak view

Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

Winter Weather Advisory March 16, 09:24am until March 17, 12:00pmHigh Wind Warning until March 17, 12:00amClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Weather Advisory High Wind Warning
  •   Winter Weather Advisory March 16, 09:24am until March 17, 12:00pmHigh Wind Warning until March 17, 12:00am

    NOW: Multiple hazards in effect

    Click HERE for Details

  • Today

    High: 27 °F

    Snow Likely
    and Areas
    Blowing Snow

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow.  Widespread blowing snow, mainly between 11pm and midnight. Low around 20. Windy, with a southwest wind 29 to 34 mph decreasing to 22 to 27 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 20 °F

    Snow and
    Blowing Snow

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow.  Patchy blowing snow between 2pm and 3pm. High near 26. West southwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Snow and
    Patchy
    Blowing Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: Snow likely, mainly before midnight.  Cloudy, with a low around 12. North northwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 12 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    High: 18 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

    Low: 6 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 24. South southwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

    High: 24 °F

    Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. South wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

    Low: 16 °F

    Mostly Cloudy

The Last Word

03 / 15 / 25  <<  
 
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