From e-mail: "Photo attached from near top of hyalite peak, 11/2. Cracking in recent hard wind slab, I had to really jump hard to make this. Walked on many other hard slabs that were well bonded. Highly variable snowpack. I think you'd be most likely to get into trouble by popping out a small hard slab pocket like this and getting magic carpeted into some thinly covered terrain." Photo: B. VandenBos
Trip Planning for Cooke City Area
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow
Bottom Line: Snow is starting to pile up on some slopes at higher elevations and that means it’s time to be thinking about avalanches. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiking, hunting, skiing, or ice-climbing; if you’re crossing a slope with snow that’s deep enough to cover the rocks and vegetation, you may be able to trigger a slide. Either avoid steep, snow covered slopes or take the typical mid-winter precautions. Past 5 Days
Wed Oct 16
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Fri Oct 18
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Thu Oct 24
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Wed Oct 30
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Sat Nov 2
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Relevant Photos
Displaying 1 - 6
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Screenshots of webcams throughout the forecast area show new snow and snow cover on November 1.
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From obs: "1-3 mm faceting in front of the Montage. Clear skys and mid 20 temps"
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On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Yellowstone Club Webcam
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On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Bridger Bowl Webcams
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The 26th annual fundraiser for the Friends of the GNFAC is October 25 at the Emerson Cultural Center. More info and tickets at: https://events.eventgroove.com/event/Powder-Blast-2024-101627
Videos- Cooke City Area
WebCams
Soda Butte Lodge, looking West
Soda Butte Lodge, looking East
Weather Stations- Cooke City Area
Weather Forecast Cooke City Area
Extended Forecast for2 Miles NNE Cooke City MT
Today
High: 19 °F
Snow Likely
and Patchy
Blowing SnowTonight
Low: 8 °F
Snow
Wednesday
High: 21 °F
Chance Snow
then Mostly
SunnyWednesday Night
Low: 4 °F
Mostly Clear
Thursday
High: 33 °F
Sunny
Thursday Night
Low: 17 °F
Mostly Clear
Friday
High: 40 °F
Sunny
Friday Night
Low: 20 °F
Mostly Clear
Saturday
High: 38 °F
Sunny
The Last Word
We are preparing for winter and will collect snowpack information as the snow builds up. If you have avalanche, snowpack or weather observations to share, please submit them via our website or email mtavalanche@gmail.com.
Read accident reports from previous early season accidents before you venture to the snowy hills. This accident report from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range, and this report from the tragic fatality six years ago in early October are reminders of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche.