20-21

<p>Wet snow and deeply buried weak layers are the two primary concerns today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yesterday, we got several reports of small slab avalanches breaking on low elevation sunny slopes, both skier triggered and breaking naturally (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/gallatin-canyon-wet-slide"><stron…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/21/specimen-creek-avalanche"><strong…;). While these slides weren’t very large, they indicate that the potential exists for larger slides. Watch out for wet snow as the day warms up and crusts break down. Particularly watch for sunny low elevation slopes that are sheltered from the cooling effects of today’s strong winds. If it ends up raining more than a light drizzle this afternoon, just avoid all steep slopes. Rain is an abrupt change that can quickly make slopes unstable, particularly when it’s falling onto a previously dry snowpack. If you find more than a couple inches of wet snow, move to shadier slopes or head home.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The weak snow near the ground that we’ve been warning you about all year is still down there and it is still worrisome. The consequences of triggering a slide remain high and require continued vigilance. Don’t let yourself be lured into a false sense of security because the frequency of slides is going down. It remains possible to trigger large, dangerous avalanches on these weak layers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

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<p>Large avalanches are unlikely in the mountains around Cooke City. However, that doesn’t mean you can turn off your avalanche brain. Be on the lookout for wet snow on sunny slopes as the day warms up and check to make sure you aren’t on a slope that has the isolated weak layers at the ground before committing to steep terrain. The recent avalanche that broke 3-4 ft deep on weak layers at the ground in Yellowstone National Park, outside our advisory area, is a good reminder to stay on your toes (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/24530"><strong><u>details</u></strong>…;). The avalanche danger is LOW in the mountains near Cooke City.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>