Trip Planning for Island Park

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Today | 40-55 W
Nov 20 0″ | 20-40 W
Nov 19 4″ | 5-30 N
Sawtelle Peak
9885′     11/21 at 18:00
22.9℉
W - 37mph
Gusts 47 mph
Sawtelle Snowfall
8750′     11/02 at 03:47
13.0″ Depth
0.9″New
White Elephant SNOTEL
7710′     11/21 at 17:00
33℉
17″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: The snowpack is thin, but we are heading in the right direction, with 5-10” of new snow falling in our latest storm. Wind slab avalanches are the primary concern. Avoid steep slopes with signs of instability, which include recent avalanches, shooting cracks, collapsing (whumphing), stiffening of the snow surface or visual cues of drifting. Avoidance should be our objective because getting captured in an avalanche of any size will likely result in traumatic injuries. To reduce the consequences of a mistake, carry rescue gear, practice with it and follow safe travel protocols in and around avalanche terrain.

Past 5 Days

Sat Nov 2

None
Wed Nov 6

None
Wed Nov 13

None
Fri Nov 15

None
Tue Nov 19

None

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 6
  • Snowpit at Bridger

    Snowpit at Bridger Bowl on 11/5. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • Cracking in recent hard wind slab

    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

  • Minor Faceting in At Spanish Peaks Resort

    From obs: "1-3 mm faceting in front of the Montage. Clear skys and mid 20 temps"

  • Fresh Snow in Big Sky

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Yellowstone Club Webcam

  • Bridger Bowl Ridge Webcam

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Bridger Bowl Webcams

  • Powder Blast 2024 - October 25

    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- Island Park

WebCams


US 20, Henry's Lake, South view

High Mountain Adventures, Island Park

Snowpit Profiles- Island Park

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Island Park

Big Sky

Weather Forecast Island Park

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

10 Miles ESE Lakeview MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow likely, mainly between 2am and 5am. Cloudy, with a low around 26. South wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 26 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Friday

    Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

    High: 34 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Partly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 26 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow after 8am. High near 28. South southeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

    High: 28 °F

    Heavy Snow
    and Patchy
    Blowing Snow

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around 17. South southwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Low: 17 °F

    Snow then
    Chance Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 22. South southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 22 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the evening. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 8 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Monday

    Monday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. East southeast wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

    High: 21 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

    Low: 15 °F

    Chance Snow

The Last Word

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.

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