Trip Planning for Southern Madison

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Today0″ |
Nov 20 0″ | NA
Nov 19 4″ | NA
Taylor Fork Weather
9460′     11/05 at 9:00
34.4℉
N - 0mph
Gusts 2 mph
Carrot Basin SNOTEL
9000′     11/21 at 17:00
23℉
25″ 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

Southern Madison
Sphinx Mountain
Climber triggered wind slabs at the Sphinx
Incident details include images
Sphinx Mountain
HS-AF-R2-D1-I
Elevation: 9,600
Aspect: NW
Coordinates: 45.1582, -111.4770
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Triggered a small wind slab:

-9600'

-N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain 

-Strong SW wind

-Noticed other small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations


More Avalanche Details

North face of the Sphinx, Nov 2

Wind Slabs at the Sphinx

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 8
  • Snowpit at Bridger

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

  • North face of the Sphinx, Nov 2

    Photo: S. Bonucci

  • Wind Slabs at the Sphinx

    From obs.: "Triggered a small wind slab: -9600' -N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain -Strong SW wind

    -Noticed oth er small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations" Photo: S. Bonucci

  • 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- Southern Madison

WebCams


Raynolds Pass, Looking N

Snowpit Profiles- Southern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Southern Madison

Big Sky

Weather Forecast Southern Madison

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

20 Miles S Big Sky MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly between 8pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 22 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 25 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Friday

    Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

    High: 32 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow and
    Breezy then
    Mostly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 24 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Snow. Areas of blowing snow before 5pm. High near 26. Breezy, with a south wind 21 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Snow and
    Areas Blowing
    Snow

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Snow, mainly before 11pm. Patchy blowing snow between 8pm and 11pm. Low around 14. Southwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 14 °F

    Snow and
    Patchy
    Blowing Snow
    then Chance
    Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 19. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 19 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. South wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

    Low: 6 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

  • Monday

    Monday: A chance of snow, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 19. South wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

    High: 19 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

    Low: 13 °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.

11 / 15 / 24  <<  
 
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