24-25

<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>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Snow depths range from about 15 to 30 inches, and recent dry, warm weather has created highly variable snow conditions. The only recent avalanches have been </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32287"><span><span><span><span><span><… loose avalanches</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> on slopes getting direct sunshine and generally having exposed rocks that add extra heat to the snow. Also, we’re tracking the condition of the snow surface which is weakening on many slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> have become less likely because the snow has gone through several melt-freeze cycles. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Ice climbers</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> watch out if you’re in a long gully. Even if you’re in the shade, pay attention to heating of the snow on slopes above you because even a very small avalanche can sweep you off your feet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Avalanches involving dry snow</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are unlikely, but there are some weak layers of faceted snow lurking in the snowpack. They seem to be more prevalent from Big Sky and south towards West Yellowstone. Ian and Dave found some in the</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32321"><span><span><span><span><span><…; Taylor Fork area of the Southern Madison Range</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> yesterday but still felt avalanches were unlikely. They would probably require an old wind slab on top to get an avalanche today.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today the avalanche danger is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>LOW</span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>. It’s still early in the season and there’s a lot of variability as well as a lot of buried rocks and stumps to hit.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The snowpack around Cooke City is similar to the rest of the forecast area with one glaring exception that shouldn’t be ignored. An </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32321"><span><span><span><span><span><… skier south of town on Monday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> triggered several large collapses on east and west aspects.. Collapsing makes an audible whoopfing sound and is just like triggering an avalanche except it happens on flatter terrain, so the snow doesn’t slide downhill. I found buried facets </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/32307"><span><span><span><span><span><… south and northeast aspects</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> yesterday.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Persistent slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the main concern near Cooke City. Despite a lack of avalanche activity, recent snowfall, or recent wind loading, the snowpack is guilty until proven innocent. For this reason the danger is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>MODERATE</span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Ice climbers</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> should also watch out for&nbsp;</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> and look for heating of the snow especially in places like Barronette Peak in long southeast facing gullies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>