23-24

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>New snow will create the main avalanche hazards this weekend. Avalanches could show a range of characteristics, from slabs of wind-drifted snow to wet-loose avalanches that run long distances. Where more snow falls, slab avalanches could break within or below the new snow, even where not drifted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you travel on or below steep slopes, carefully assess the new snow for instability. Continuously reassess snow stability throughout the day, and as you move through different aspects and elevations. Watch for snow blowing across ridgelines and cracking across the snow surface as a sign that fresh, unstable drifts exist. Dig down to assess stability within and below the new snow. With above freezing daytime temperatures, expect wet snow stability to decrease through the day and plan to be off of steep slopes before the snow surface becomes sticky or wet.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wet snow avalanches breaking deeper than the new snow are possible on slopes that have wet, unfrozen snow below the new snow, or where a lot of precipitation falls as rain on a wet and unsupportable snowpack. Wet slab avalanches were triggered last week by riders in the Taylor Fork (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31856"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and the Northern Gallatin Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31874"><span><span><span><strong><span… and details</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>), and similar slides broke naturally on Mt. Abundance near Cooke City (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31866"><span><span><span><strong><span… and photos</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>) and in the Bridger Range north of Wolverine (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/wet-snow-avalanche-near-texas-mdw…;).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Remain diligent with snowpack assessments and careful route-finding, and be ready to adapt your travel plan to changing conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>Warm temperatures, wind-loading, and the possibility of rain and snow later in the week will drive avalanche problems through Friday. As Alex outlined in his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJm0MFOeqCA&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvSH326z…; from the Bridger Range, be flexible with your travel plans because conditions can rapidly fluctuate between stability and instability in the spring.</p>

<p>Wet snow avalanches will be the primary concern on most slopes. These will generally occur as wet loose slides that start at a point and spread as they gather snow (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31834"><strong><span>recent examples from the Bridger Range</span></strong></a>). The probability of larger and more destructive wet slab avalanches will increase as nighttime lows remain above freezing and daytime highs climb mid-week. Last week, melt-water moved through the snowpack, and riders in the Taylor Fork (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31856"><strong><span>photos and details</span></strong></a>) and the Northern Gallatin Range (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31874"><strong><span>photos and details</span></strong></a>) remotely triggered wet slab avalanches that broke on weak faceted snow near the ground, and a similar slide broke naturally on Mt. Abundance near Cooke City (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31866"><strong><span>details and photos</span></strong></a>). These were a good reminder that avalanches can still fail deep within the snowpack.</p>

<p>There is a chance of rain on Thursday and Friday. Besides being unpleasant for travel, rain on snow will destabilize the snowpack. Thankfully, identifying wet snow instability is relatively easy. Avoid travel on steep slopes if it is raining (because… yuck!), get on to the snow early in the day when surface-level crusts are supportable and get off before the crust breaks down and more than the upper few inches become slushy and wet. Ensure a safe egress route, as conditions often deteriorate more quickly at lower elevations.</p>

<p>Relatively small dry snow avalanches are possible on upper-elevation slopes that remain shady and cool. This weekend, skiers outside the advisory in the Tobacco Root Mountains triggered a small wind-slab avalanche on a high, north-facing run (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/31891"><strong><span>details</span></s…;). Small avalanches in technical or extreme terrain can be deadly if they push backcountry travelers off cliffs or into trees and gullies. If the upper snowpack is dry, dig down and back off steep objectives if you find instability in your tests, observe shooting cracks or indications of fresh wind-loading.</p>

<p><span>Remain diligent with your snowpack assessments and route-finding, and adapt your decision-making to changing conditions.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></p>