21-22

<p>The mountains near Bozeman and Big Sky got 8-17” of new snow since Tuesday (0.6”-1.5” snow water equivalent (SWE)) which makes avalanches possible, especially where that snow was blown into thicker drifts by westerly winds. The last couple days we visited Hyalite (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdc8xGBt5RU&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvT1nrM2…;), Buck Ridge (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyJv7snrlDM">video</a></strong&gt;), and the Bridger Range (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIJ0t3fBQDo">video</a></strong&gt;) where we saw natural avalanches that broke in the new snow on wind-loaded slopes (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/22/small-avalanche-buck-ridge">Buck photo</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25891">Divide photo</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25875">Bridgers details</a></strong>). Yesterday we intentionally triggered a couple small drifts from the ridgeline of Divide Peak (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25892">photos and details</a></strong>), and skiers in the northern Bridger Range found fresh slabs that cracked easily under their skis&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25894"><strong>details</strong></a&gt;).&nbsp;On non-wind loaded slopes we did not see signs of instability like cracking or recent avalanches. However, with a foot or more of recent snow on some slopes it is still possible to trigger loose snow slides or slabs of new snow on any steep slope, wind-loaded or not. Wind and above freezing temperatures&nbsp;could contribute to decreasing&nbsp;stability of the&nbsp;new snow through the day. Carefully and continuously assess the stability of the new snow before riding steep slopes. Avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>Near Cooke City a layer of weak snow is buried 1.5-2 feet deep on many slopes which makes it possible for a person to trigger large avalanches. Since Tuesday these mountains got a foot of snow (0.9” SWE) that has been blown into deeper drifts by west-northwest wind the last few days. These drifts of recent snow alone could avalanche and be large enough to bury or injure a person, or they could break deeper and larger on a buried persistent weak layer. Yesterday a natural avalanche of wind-drifted snow occurred on Scotch Bonnet mountain (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/25893">details</a></strong&gt;). Before riding on steep slopes, carefully assess the snowpack for wind-loading and buried weak layers, and consider the consequences of being caught in an avalanche. Today, large avalanches are possible and avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>The mountains south of Big sky to West Yellowstone got 5-8” of snow since Tuesday (0.6” SWE) which was drifted into thicker slabs by strong westerly winds. These slabs are possible to trigger and could break wide and be large if they formed on top of weak layers near the top of the snowpack. Many slopes have weak snow near the surface, but avalanches are unlikely without a slab of wind-drifted snow on top. Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind-loaded slopes, and LOW on all other slopes.</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>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>