22-23

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>It is still snowing and blowing and the backcountry is dangerous today. At 6 a.m., more than a foot of dense snow has fallen (.9-1.5” </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://snow.wyo.gov/snow-surveys/snow-water-equivalent-swe"><span><span… water equivalent</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) in Taylor Fork, Lionhead, and Cooke City, and winds are exceeding 60 mph from the southwest. In the last 48 hours 1.5 to 2+ feet of snow has fallen. We were seeing </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span>…, deep avalanches leading up to this storm</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and I have no doubt that more slopes will avalanche today. Today is a day to be extremely cautious. Staying off steep slopes is obvious, yet staying clear of runout zones is less so, especially with poor visibility. Flat terrain under a steep slope (runout zone) is dangerous because not only can a slide be triggered from here, but burials are not uncommon. Many people have been buried and killed while traveling in seemingly safe runout zones.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes. Avalanches are likely. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

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<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Winds are very strong with gusts over 60 mph. It is blowing from the southwest, but swirling at all elevations making it difficult to tell precisely where the loading is. Ian and I were on Buck Ridge and rode towards Cedar Mtn yesterday (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/5P0-B8ATr70"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;), and Dave was in Beehive and Bear Basin the day before (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/nSi90vR6ayI"><span><span><span><strong><span><u><span>…;). In both instances we were concerned with slabs of windblown snow breaking. It has not started snowing yet (7 a.m.), but if it does the danger will rise. Large avalanches are being triggered with little load throughout our forecast area. During and immediately after a snowstorm is the most likely time to trigger slides. For today, triggering slides is possible, especially on slopes with wind-drifts.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on all slopes, but could rise to CONSIDERABLE if more than a few inches of snow falls this morning</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Bridger Range received a couple inches of ball-bearing, graupel snow yesterday morning while it rained at lower elevations. Wind is light compared to the rest of our advisory area. It is averaging 10 mph with gusts of 30 from the west to southwest and wind-loading will be minimal. A large avalanche in the Fairy Lake area on Sunday is evidence that the Bridger Range is not immune to deep and deadly slides (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28631"><span><span><span><strong><span>… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). A couple inches of snow yesterday will keep us on our toes. Search for wind slabs, which may crack in front of you, be careful around cornices and don’t forget that large avalanches are not out of the question.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is rated MODERATE on all slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>