24-25

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanches are unlikely today and the snowpack is generally stable. Weak layers are buried near the bottom of a 1-2 foot deep snowpack on some slopes and many weak layers have formed on the surface, but without new snow over the past week you are unlikely to find an unstable slab that could avalanche.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Above freezing temperatures may soften the snow surface this afternoon, but wet avalanches will be inhibited by cloud cover and a snow surface that has been through several melt-freeze cycles which is more resistant to falling apart. Watch for isolated small wet slides on sunny slopes around rock outcrops.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Despite a low likelihood for avalanches, an isolated unstable slope might be found somewhere in our large forecast area. If you are skiing or riding slopes steeper than 30 degrees be aware of the lingering chance to trigger an avalanche, and keep in mind the increased risk of even a small slide due to thin snow cover.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The shallow snowpack means you can quickly dig to assess for buried weak layers before committing to a steep slope. Watch for signs of instability (cracking and collapsing, rollerballs or a sticky snow surface), carry proper rescue gear (beacon, shovel and probe), and travel one at a time across steep slopes. The avalanche danger is LOW.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The new snow tonight and tomorrow will fall on weak layers that formed on the surface of the snowpack over the last week and danger will probably increase. Make sure to check the forecast for updates, and see our recent videos from </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mknP2-CIWHA&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjaZDAmyhvU&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… Ridge</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCM-9E88N5c&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… Fork</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFn7MC-Sy64&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… City</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>and the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJcHZcSB454&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir…; for a look at what lies on the ground throughout our forecast area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Triggering an avalanche is unlikely today.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With only a dusting of snowfall in the last week, wind slabs have now either bonded or softened and faceted away. Cold clear nights have weakened the snow surface, but until a slab forms above them this weak snow is not currently a concern. There are also weak layers near the ground on many slopes, but again, until they get loaded, you’re unlikely to trigger a slide on them. With sunny skies and temperatures above freezing, wet loose avalanches are a remote possibility this afternoon. But, with sunny slopes having already gone through several melt-freeze cycles, don’t expect much wet loose activity today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With all that said, there may still be some lingering instability out there somewhere. If you’re planning on riding steep slopes, stay on alert for signs of instability (such as cracking or collapsing). Safe travel protocols (one at time on steep slopes) and carrying rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) provide one more failsafe in case you do get surprised.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is LOW. Thin snow cover is the primary hazard for backcountry skiers and riders today.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Two things are happening in the snowpack:&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>(1) Stability is steadily increasing the longer the snow sits without loading from snowfall or wind. A good example is at Big Sky where the ski patrol triggered decent avalanches a week ago, but now is not triggering much as they work around Lone Mountain on a snowpack that resembles the backcountry.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>(2) The snow surface continues to weaken and facet under crystal clear, night skies. A good crop of surface hoar has been growing as well. We’ve certainly seen worse, but the current snow surface could easily become the weak layer for future avalanches. For now, it makes for nice skiing and riding.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With clear skies and more sunshine today, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wet loose avalanches are a remote possibility</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> but unlikely because the snow on sunny slopes has been through several melt-freeze cycles.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On average the snowpack is only about two feet deep and you can&nbsp; find weak layers in the bottom foot of snow as Ian and Dave found in the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32317"><span><span><span><span><span><… Fork on Tuesday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, and Ian and his partner found </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32327"><span><span><span><span><span><… along Buck Ridge</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> near Big Sky.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With no notable recent avalanche activity, no recent loading from snowfall or wind, and no other obvious signs of instability, all indications are that human triggered avalanches are unlikely and the avalanche danger is LOW. The greatest danger is hitting rock and stumps. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Conditions near Cooke City are very similar to the rest of the forecast area. The </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>one main difference</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> is that the snowpack produced audible collapses for an </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32321"><span><span><span><span><span><… skier on Monday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> in the valley bottom and near ridgetops on east and west aspects south of town. These obvious signs of instability can’t be ignored and mean that </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>persistent slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> about a foot deep&nbsp; are possible. Wet loose avalanches are unlikely but watch for signs that the snowpack is getting wet under today’s sunshine.&nbsp; Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>