Trip Planning for Northern Madison

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Apr 266″ | 10-34 SW
Apr 25 0″ | 10-39 SW
Apr 24 0″ | 10-25 SW
Timberline Station
9400′     4/27 at 4:00
27 ℉
NE - 10 mph, Gusts 13
-6999 " New
Lone Mountain SNOTEL
8880′     04/27 at 03:00
31℉
43″ Depth
Primary Problem: New Snow
Bottom Line: New snow will create the main avalanche hazards this weekend. Avalanches could show a wide range of characteristics, from slabs of wind-drifted snow to wet-loose avalanches that run long distances. Where more snow falls, slab avalanches could break within or below the new snow, even where not drifted. Wet snow avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are possible on slopes that have wet, unfrozen snow below the new snow, or where a lot of precipitation falls as rain on a wet and unsupportable snowpack. If you travel on or below steep slopes, carefully assess the new snow for signs of instability. Continuously reassess snow stability throughout the day, and as you move through different aspects and elevations.

Past 5 Days

Sun Apr 14

Considerable
Mon Apr 15

None
Fri Apr 19

None
Mon Apr 22

None
Fri Apr 26

None

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Madison
Beehive Basin
Whumps/Collapses in Beehive
Beehive Basin
Coordinates: 45.3407, -111.3910
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From obs: "When setting out to Beehive Basin today we only imagined wanting to bail if rain line was at the trailhead, but had not expected our seasons long standing PWL to turn us around. With a few inches of snow at the trailhead and temps just at freezing we set out. The new snow yesterday/last night capped a warm snowpack, keeping the snowpack from freezing at all (no crusts or other signs of superficial freezes up to 9,2000ft where we bailed despite the mid-20’s temps recorded overnight). Almost immediately out of the trailhead we got thunderous collapses so big we at first thought it was noise from control work at Big Sky. Further along we got collapses extending hundreds of feet out, valley wide and echoing up the basin. We dug to the bottom out of curiosity and found a saturated and unfrozen snowpack. The bottom 30cm was still all facets, giving the appearance that the remaining 90-110cm of consolidated snowpack was floating on air. We’re assuming the whumps/collapses are traveling along this layer of basal facets. I’m sure once it gets a solid freeze things will be alright again, but will the new snow continue to insulate the snowpack the next few nights despite the forecasted solid freezing temps? Or is this only a phenomenon that happens the 1st night of new snow falling on a warm snowpack? "


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Beehive Basin
Loose Snow avalanches in Beehive and Bear Basins
Beehive Basin
L-AS
Coordinates: 45.3477, -111.3890
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From obs: "We saw several loose avalanches on WSW, ESE & SSE aspects of the ridge between beehive and bear basin.  The one on the ESE slope may have been skier triggered (by another group) and the rest appeared to be natural.  We found a strong crust beneath the foot of new snow throughout our route.  We didn't see any cracks or whumphs, and the new snow wasn't reactive in hand pits.  The snow surface was getting wet as we exited to the beehive trailhead around 3pm."


More Avalanche Details
Southern Madison
Quake Lake
Wet Slab Avalanche Above Quake Lake
Incident details include images
Quake Lake
WS-N-R2-D2-G
Coordinates: 44.8524, -111.3920
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From IG: Wet slide to the ground above Quake Lake. 


More Avalanche Details

Wet slab above quake lake

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • Shooting crack west of cabin Creek 2

    A group remotely triggered a wet slab avalanche from the ridge top. There were shooting cracks that connected their location to the avalanche. This is an interesting of persistent weak layer and wet snow avalanche problems. Photo: M Harry 

  • Remotely triggered wet slab avalanche West of cabin Creek

    A group remotely triggered a wet slab avalanche from the ridge top. There were shooting cracks that connected their location to the avalanche. This is an interesting of persistent weak layer and wet snow avalanche problems. Photo: M Harry 

  • Wet Loose in Beehive, 2 04/04

    Observed on 04/05/2024: "Photo of recent loose wet avalanches that likely happened 24-48 hours ago on SW-W aspect at ~9800'" Photo: Z. Peterson

  • Wet Loose in Beehive, 1 04/04

    Observed on 04/05/2024: "Photo of recent loose wet avalanches that likely happened 24-48 hours ago on SW-W aspect at ~9800'" Photo: Z. Peterson

  • Human-triggered cornice and wind slab, Buck Ridge

    On a small test slope near Muddy Creek we intentionally triggered several small avalanches in wind-loaded terrain by knocking chunks of cornice off. Photo: GNFAC

  • Cracking in fresh drifts near sled

    While riding we saw cracking forming near our sleds in fresh drifts: Photo: GNFAC

  • Winds drifting at ridge top

    Strong wind transporting snow at ridge tops. Photo: GNFAC

  • Natural wind slab, Buck Ridge

    We saw this recent avalanche near the Bear Creek wilderness boundary while riding on 03/24/2024. Photo: GNFAC

  • Natural wind slab avalanche behind McAtee

    We saw this natural avalanche on a wind-loaded slope behind McAtee Basin. Photo: GNFAC

  • Rider triggered slide in Taylor Fork

    A rider triggered this avalanche in Taylor Fork on 3/16/24. "Avalanche broke about 400ft wide and slid for 250 ft. 4-2ft deep at the crown."

  • Beehive Basin, west side of basin, east facing slope.

    Skiers saw a natural avalanche on east-facing terrain at 9500' in Beehive Basin. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Beehive basin avalanche, 4

    Skiers triggered this slope by dropping a section of cornice onto the slope. This avalanche broke 500' wide, and ranged in depth from 18" or 6'. Photo: P. Hess

  • Beehive basin avalanche, 3

    Skiers triggered this slope by dropping a section of cornice onto the slope. This avalanche broke 500' wide, and ranged in depth from 18" or 6'. Photo: P. Hess

  • Beehive basin avalanche, 2

    Skiers triggered this slope by dropping a section of cornice onto the slope. This avalanche broke 500' wide, and ranged in depth from 18" or 6'. Photo: P. Hess

  • Beehive basin avalanche, 1

    Skiers triggered this slope by dropping a section of cornice onto the slope. This avalanche broke 500' wide, and ranged in depth from 18" or 6'. Photo: P. Hess

     

  • Recent avalanches in Beehive, and Middle Basin, 2

    From obs: "On a tour up Middle Peak, I saw recent avalanches, with large propagation in Middle Basin and Beehive Basin." Photo Anonymous 

  • Recent avalanches in Beehive, and Middle Basin

    From obs: "On a tour up Middle Peak, I saw recent avalanches, with large propagation in Middle Basin and Beehive Basin." Photo Anonymous 

  • Rider remote triggered slide

    From IG: "Buck ridge south of slatts hill, remote trigger by a snowmobile today"

  • Natural Avalanche in Beehive Basin

    Skiers in Beehive Basin saw a natural avalanche on an east-facing slope. This avalanche likely happened in the last 24-48 hours. Photo: E. Heiman

  • Windslab avalanche in bear basin

    Skiers intentionally triggered a small avalanche near the prayer flags in Bear Basin. This slope has avalanched previously this season. Photo: J Alford

  • First and Second Avalanches in McAtee, 2

    Riders triggered this pair of avalanches while crossing below this terrain, roughly 150 yards away. The location of the triggers is marked by the "x's" in the photo. Photo: M. Rolfson 

  • First and Second Avalanches in McAtee, 1

    Riders triggered this pair of avalanches while crossing below this terrain, roughly 150 yards away. Photo: M. Rolfson 

  • Second Avalanche in McAtee Basin

    Rider on 02/23/2024 observed this large avalanche next to another avalanche they had triggered remotely. They likely triggered this one as well from afar while cross terrain below. Photo: M. Rolfson

  • Avalanche McAtee Basin, 2

    Riders on 02/23/2024 triggered this avalanche from 150 yards away while traversing below. Photo: M. Rolfson

  • Avalanche McAtee Basin, 1

    Riders on 02/23/2024 triggered this avalanche from 150 yards away while traversing below. Photo: M. Rolfson

     

  • Avalanche crown in Muddy Creek

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanche crown in Muddy Creek 2

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Debris from a couple slides in Muddy Creek

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Debris in Muddy Creek close up

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Natural avalanche near Buck

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Natural avalanche near Buck 2

    On 2/18/24 near Buck Ridge and Muddy Creek we saw at least eight recent avalanches that occurred at various times over the last 1-3 days, natural and/or remote triggered by riders. A group in the parking lot mentioned seeing many slides actively happen in this area on Friday 2/16. Most were 2-3' deep hard slabs, ranging from 50'-500' wide. Photo: GNFAC

  • Fresh avalanche near Cedar, Feb 18

    An avalanche we either triggered from 750-800 feet away or it broke naturally. This avalanche happened when we were riding near the larger of the two avalanches from yesterday, on the south side of Cedar Mtn. It was a wind-loaded slope, actively loading. The avalanche was ~130' wide with 100' of 4-12" deep new snow/wind slab and 30' wide broke almost 3 feet deep on weak snow near the ground. Photo: GNFAC

  • Fresh avalanche near Cedar, Feb 18 pic 2

    An avalanche we either triggered from 750-800 feet away or it broke naturally. This avalanche happened when we were riding near the larger of the two avalanches from yesterday, on the south side of Cedar Mtn. It was a wind-loaded slope, actively loading. The avalanche was ~130' wide with 100' of 4-12" deep new snow/wind slab and 30' wide broke almost 3 feet deep on weak snow near the ground. Photo: GNFAC

  • Debris from deeper part of slide, Cedar, Feb 18

    An avalanche we either triggered from 750-800 feet away or it broke naturally. This avalanche happened when we were riding near the larger of the two avalanches from yesterday, on the south side of Cedar Mtn. It was a wind-loaded slope, actively loading. The avalanche was ~130' wide with 100' of 4-12" deep new snow/wind slab and 30' wide broke almost 3 feet deep on weak snow near the ground. Photo: GNFAC

  • Debris from deeper part of slide, Cedar, Feb 18 2

    An avalanche we either triggered from 750-800 feet away or it broke naturally. This avalanche happened when we were riding near the larger of the two avalanches from yesterday, on the south side of Cedar Mtn. It was a wind-loaded slope, actively loading. The avalanche was ~130' wide with 100' of 4-12" deep new snow/wind slab and 30' wide broke almost 3 feet deep on weak snow near the ground. Photo: GNFAC

  • Fresh avalanche near Cedar, Feb 18 pic 3

    An avalanche we either triggered from 750-800 feet away or it broke naturally. This avalanche happened when we were riding near the larger of the two avalanches from yesterday, on the south side of Cedar Mtn. It was a wind-loaded slope, actively loading. The avalanche was ~130' wide with 100' of 4-12" deep new snow/wind slab and 30' wide broke almost 3 feet deep on weak snow near the ground. Photo: GNFAC

  • Wilderness boundary avalanche Feb 17, pic from 2/18

    This avalanche was triggered by riders from flat terrain far below on February 17. Photo: GNFAC

  • Debris of avalanche in The Mullet

    From BSSP on 2/17/24: "Midafternoon we received another report of a skier triggered avalanche in the Lone Lake Circe, specifically The Mullet. The reporting party contacted several ski patrollers via cell phone and confirmed that nobody was injured or had taken the full ride. This avalanche failed near the ground on a high elevation NW facing slope with the weight of a single skier with an estimated size of HS-ASu-R3-D2.5-O."

  • Crown of avalanche in The Mullet

    From BSSP on 2/17/24: "Midafternoon we received another report of a skier triggered avalanche in the Lone Lake Circe, specifically The Mullet. The reporting party contacted several ski patrollers via cell phone and confirmed that nobody was injured or had taken the full ride. This avalanche failed near the ground on a high elevation NW facing slope with the weight of a single skier with an estimated size of HS-ASu-R3-D2.5-O."

  • Wilderness Boundary Avalanche

    Riders triggered this avalanche remotely on 02/17/2024 while riding near the Bear Creek wilderness boundary. 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 Stations- Northern Madison

Big Sky

Yellowstone Club

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

Winter Storm Warning until April 27, 06:00pmClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Storm Warning
  •  Winter Storm Warning until April 27, 06:00pm

    NOW until
    6:00pm Sat

    Winter Storm Warning

  • Overnight

    Overnight: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. East northeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Snow Likely

    Low: 27 °F

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A chance of snow before noon, then snow showers, mainly after noon. Some thunder is also possible. High near 36. East wind 10 to 14 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Chance Snow
    then Snow
    Showers

    High: 36 °F

  • Saturday
    Night

    Saturday Night: Snow showers before 9pm, then snow likely, mainly between 9pm and 1am. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 26. South southwest wind 8 to 11 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Snow Showers
    then Snow
    Likely

    Low: 26 °F

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Snow likely before noon, then snow showers after noon. Some thunder is also possible. High near 36. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Snow Showers

    High: 36 °F

  • Sunday
    Night

    Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    Low: 23 °F

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow likely before noon, then snow showers after noon. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 35. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Snow Likely
    then Heavy
    Snow and
    Breezy

    High: 35 °F

  • Monday
    Night

    Monday Night: Snow showers before midnight, then a chance of snow after midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 13. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

    Heavy Snow
    and Breezy
    then Chance
    Snow

    Low: 13 °F

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Snow likely, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

    Snow Likely

    High: 27 °F

The Last Word

We began our daily forecasts on December 7. 130 daily forecasts and 464 reported avalanches later, we wrapped up our daily forecasting season on April 14th. While avalanches remain a concern until the snow is in the rivers, read our SEASON SUMMARY to look back at the heart of the 2023-24 avalanche year.

04 / 22 / 24  <<  
 
this forecast
 
  >>  This is the most recent forecast.