23-24

<p><span><span><span>Conditions change rapidly in the spring, and travel plans should reflect these daily fluctuations. While not equal in likelihood, wet snow avalanches, dry slab avalanches failing in the upper snowpack and deep slab avalanches failing on basal weak layers are all potential problems today. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span>Natural and human-triggered wet snow slides will become likely as the spring sun blazes and temperatures rise into the 40s and 50s F. These will generally present as wet loose avalanches that start at a point and fan out as they entrain snow. The weight of these slides pack a serious punch. Yesterday, the Big Sky and Bridger Bowl Ski Patrols observed limited wet snow instability when small natural avalanches occurred in closed terrain. We will likely see more today. Wet snow instability is rising as the surface snow gets wet (duh!) and pinwheels of snow start rolling downhill like giant cinnamon rolls. Quickly move to cooler aspects, lower-angle slopes or head home as instability increases, and preemptively ensure a safe exit plan.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span>Avalanches breaking 1-2 feet deep below recent and wind-drifted snow are possible. Riding in Island Park yesterday, we saw five avalanches that likely failed at the end of last week (<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/LPB5N_bAPco"><strong><span>video</span></str…;). On Sunday, a “pow surfer” (snowboarder without bindings) was buried to his chest by an avalanche that broke below the recent storm snow at Lionhead Ridge (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31694"><strong><span>photo</span></str…;), and a snowboarder (with bindings) triggered a collapse that shot cracks 25 feet near the Sphinx (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31707"><strong><span>observation</span…;). Continued instability is most likely on slopes where newer weak layers exist immediately below recent snow, as Alex saw in the Taylor Fork (<a href="https://youtu.be/Hmhje2N8Zc4?feature=shared"><strong><span>video</span>…;) and I found in one of our Island Park pits (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31700"><strong><span>observation</span…;). Test the upper three feet of the snowpack for instability and back off if you find it.&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span>While less likely, avalanches last week on Flanders Mountain (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31691"><strong><span>photos</span></st…; </strong><a href="https://youtu.be/BgZINtzwV6o?feature=shared"><strong><span>video</span>…;) and Mt. Blackmore (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31672"><strong><span>photos</span></st…;) in the northern Gallatin Range that broke 2-6 feet deep show the continued potential for deep slab releases. A wet snow or wind-slab avalanche, cornice fall, or an unlucky backcountry traveler crossing just the wrong spot could trigger a large slide. Conservative terrain choice and safe travel practices are the only effective management strategies. Avoid large, heavily wind-loaded slopes often overhung by enormous cornices. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning and will rise to CONSIDERABLE as wet snow avalanches become likely. </span></span></span></p>