Trip Planning for Northern Madison

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Today1″ | 15-45 NW
Nov 11 1″ | 20-34 SW
Nov 10 0″ | 15-24 SW
Timberline Station
9400′     11/11 at 14:00
40 ℉
S - 19 mph, Gusts 43
6 " New
Lone Mountain SNOTEL
8880′     11/12 at 23:00
18℉
11″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow
Bottom Line: A layered snowpack capable of producing avalanches exists across the forecast area in most mid to upper-elevation terrain. Avalanches within the new and wind-drifted snow are likely on steep slopes at the tail end of this week’s storm. Without additional loading, stability will improve throughout the week. Employ an information-gathering mindset and a healthy distrust for steep snow-covered slopes. Signs of instability, such as recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks and collapsing, are red flags and reasons to avoid avalanche terrain. Dig a quick snowpit to assess for instability when obvious signs are not present.

Past 5 Days

Fri Oct 18

None
Thu Oct 24

None
Wed Oct 30

None
Sat Nov 2

None
Wed Nov 6

None

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 6
  • Snowpit at Bridger

    Snowpit at Bridger Bowl on 11/5. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • Cracking in recent hard wind slab

    From e-mail: "Photo attached from near top of hyalite peak, 11/2. Cracking in recent hard wind slab, I had to really jump hard to make this. Walked on many other hard slabs that were well bonded. Highly variable snowpack. I think you'd be most likely to get into trouble by popping out a small hard slab pocket like this and getting magic carpeted into some thinly covered terrain." Photo: B. VandenBos

  • Minor Faceting in At Spanish Peaks Resort

    From obs: "1-3 mm faceting in front of the Montage. Clear skys and mid 20 temps"

  • Fresh Snow in Big Sky

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Yellowstone Club Webcam

  • Bridger Bowl Ridge Webcam

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Bridger Bowl Webcams

  • Powder Blast 2024 - October 25

    The 26th annual fundraiser for the Friends of the GNFAC is October 25 at the Emerson Cultural Center. More info and tickets at: https://events.eventgroove.com/event/Powder-Blast-2024-101627

Videos- Northern Madison

WebCams


8800' Camera, Lone Peak view

Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Northern Madison

Big Sky

Yellowstone Club

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as zero. West southwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 13 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 22 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph.

    High: 25 °F

    Mostly Sunny
    and Breezy

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 23 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.

    Low: 20 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow and
    Breezy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. South southwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

    High: 27 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Mostly Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. South southeast wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 15 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

    High: 25 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 16. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

    Low: 16 °F

    Heavy Snow

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19. North northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

    High: 19 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 11.

    Low: 11 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

The Last Word

Read accident reports from previous early season accidents before you venture to the snowy hills. This accident report from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range, and this report from the tragic fatality six years ago in early October are reminders of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche.

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