19-20

<p>Two to three feet of new snow have fallen since Wednesday (1.5-3.0” of <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a>). This storm has been accompanied by strong winds with gusts up to 40 mph, drifting that new snow into even deeper drifts. Avalanches were already breaking naturally yesterday and it has continued snowing and blowing (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/natural-storm-snow-avalanche-buck…;).</p>

<p>Yesterday, Alex and I saw several natural avalanches within the storm snow on Buck Ridge and triggered a slide on a small steep slope (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv12sgdxGlI&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). Ski patrols easily triggered large avalanches with ski cuts and explosives running long distances and snapping trees. Skiers north of Bridger Bowl triggered a large slide that also broke some trees (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/21909">details</a></strong&gt;).</p>

<p>In addition to avalanching within the new snow, avalanches will also break near the ground. Widespread weak layers have just gotten a very large load. These avalanches may be 10 or more feet deep (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQQ8I9DJd98&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;

<p>If you get onto a steep slope today, you will likely trigger a large avalanche. Avoid all steep slopes, no matter how small. With so much new snow even a road cut could avalanche big enough to bury you. Give runout zones a wide berth as avalanches are breaking naturally and running long distances.</p>

<p>The danger is rated HIGH on all slopes.</p>

<p>While Cooke City has gotten less new snow than the rest of the advisory area it has still received a substantial load (12” of snow with 1” <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent</a> since Wednesday) with strong winds. Human triggered avalanches are likely on wind-loaded slopes. Avalanches can break under the new snow or on the weak layers near the ground. Avalanche breaking at the ground will be large and almost certainly lethal (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXVEIqSWvdY&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSbcbVf…;). Avalanches are also possible on non-windloaded slopes. For today the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all wind-loaded slopes and MODERATE elsewhere.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can fill out an&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">observation form</a></strong>, email us (<strong><a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a></strong&gt;), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>