22-23

<p>Avalanche conditions change rapidly in the springtime, and we must adapt quickly to these changes. Warm daytime temperatures on Monday and Tuesday make wet snow avalanches the dominant concern. This weather yields to cooler temperatures and snowfall, increasing the danger of avalanches within the new and wind-drifted snow. On top of these, cornice fall and the chance of deeper avalanches releasing on persistent weak layers are possible.</p>

<p><strong>The Breakdown:</strong></p>

<p><strong>Wet snow avalanches</strong> <strong>-</strong> Well above-freezing temperatures and sunshine on Monday will break down superficial crusts and make wet loose avalanches possible. Move to cooler aspects if the surface snow becomes wet and sloppy. Snow and cooler temperatures will largely shut down wet snow concerns by midweek. However, be on guard if the warm spring sun starts moistening the surface even for brief periods. On Sunday, a group on the Fin near Cooke City triggered a wet snow avalanche that carried a long distance (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29117"><strong><span>details</span></s…;).</p>

<p><strong>Cornice Fall</strong> <strong>-</strong> These overhanging ledges of snow grew to epic proportions during the winter. They can break far back from their edge this time of year. Avoid traveling on top of them and minimize the time spent below. Cornice fall itself is dangerous, and it often triggers avalanches on the slopes below. Recent collapses occurred on <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/cornice-fall-mount-abundance"><st…. Abundance</span></strong></a> and in the <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/23/giant-cornice-collapse-north-madi… Madison Range</span></strong></a>.</p>

<p><strong>New and wind-drifted snow</strong> <strong>-</strong> Snowfall this week will increase the danger of avalanches within the new and wind-drifted snow. The more it snows, and the more it blows, the more dangerous conditions will get. Before the storm arrives, dry slab avalanches are possible on higher elevation slopes where the snow remains powdery. This Saturday, outside the advisory area in the Crazy Mountains, a group triggered an avalanche that broke 50’ wide and ran 1000’ on a high elevation, north-facing slope (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29120"><strong><span>details</span></s…;).</p>

<p><strong>Deep Slab Avalanches and Persistent Weak Layers</strong> <strong>-</strong> The recent melt-down created a thick crust on many slopes and made triggering deep slab avalanche much less likely, but they remain possible, especially on high-elevation slopes where the melt-freeze crusts aren’t as robust. Avoid this problem by choosing simple, lower-angle terrain, especially during and immediately after storms. Deep slab avalanches released during the first week of April in the Northern Madison Range (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29012"><strong><span>1</span></strong>…;, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29119"><strong><span>2</span></strong>…;), <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/29004"><strong><span>Southern Gallatin Range</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28949"><strong><span>Lionhead Area</span></strong></a> and <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/28900"><strong><span>Bridger Range</span></strong></a>.</p>

<p>We are updating our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><strong><span>ava… and weather log</span></strong></a> daily and posting relevant changes to the avalanche conditions so you can track the weather and how it affects these problems. Practice the fundamentals of avalanche safety until the snow melts. Every member of a group carries a beacon, shovel and probe. Signs of instability turn us back to lower-angle terrain. Expose only one team member at a time to avalanche terrain while the rest of the group watches from a safe position.</p>

<p><span>We will issue spring snowpack and weather updates twice a week through April, and we will share relevant avalanche and snowpack information on our website and social media. If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our website, email (mtavalanche@gmail.com), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</span></p>