24-25

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the main concern today. Ian describes it well in his </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34766"><span><span><span><span><span><… from yesterday in the northern Bridgers</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> with aspect, elevation, and timing the three variables to consider. With above freezing air temperatures overnight, the snowpack will only have a superficial refreeze from clear skies. As soon as the surface crust melts, wet sluffs will be possible.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Pay attention to what’s above you</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>. One of the main threats of wet loose avalanches isn’t triggering one, but having one start naturally above you, often near exposed rocks. Another significant concern are large </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>CORNICES </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>which are more likely to break spontaneously during rapid warm-ups.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Today</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>, I’d only consider riding sunny slopes (east, south, and west) this morning just as they begin to warm and soften. I’d mostly be aiming for upper elevation north facing slopes that still have dry snow. Old wind slabs should mostly be stabilized, but the threat never goes away&nbsp; completely.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>In the Lionhead area, southern Gallatin and Madison Ranges, and mountains near Cooke City to a lesser extent</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>, there is a slight chance of triggering a persistent slab avalanche. I’d investigate the snowpack about 3 feet deep especially if going into more extreme terrain where the margin for error is narrow. A slide spotted </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://mtavalanche.com/node/34742"><span><span><span><span><span><u><s… days ago on the Fin above Cooke City </span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>is a good example of this problem.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger today is MODERATE with wet avalanches an issue on slopes receiving direct sunshine at all elevations and shady slopes below treeline where the snowpack is mostly wet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>It will feel like spring today (if not early summer) with temperatures 10 degrees warmer than yesterday and fewer clouds in the sky to block the incoming rays. These conditions will accelerate snow surface warming, and <strong>wet loose avalanches</strong> will pack a serious punch, increasing in volume and traveling farther than yesterday. Southeast through west-facing slopes, and terrain with exposed rocks or cliff bands, will be particularly susceptible as they are exposed to and absorb more heat (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34755"><strong><span>Bradley’s Meadow avalanche</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34763"><strong><span>Gallatin Canyon avalanches</span></strong></a>). Yesterday, local ski patrol snow safety teams closed terrain to manage the threat within ski area boundaries. In the backcountry, limit your exposure to problematic aspects and slopes as the snow transitions from frozen and mostly stable to wet and unstable. Move to shadier, northern aspects when the snow surface becomes saturated or you notice warning signs, such as pinwheels or small wet avalanches nearby.</p>

<p>Concern about <strong>wind slab avalanches </strong>has decreased since the last storm ended. However, triggering an unstable drift remains possible, especially on higher elevation slopes below cornices and where the snow remained cool yesterday. Look at photos of wind slab avalanches that broke naturally on Saddle Peak (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/25/avalanche-saddle-peak"><strong>ph…;) and in Cooke City yesterday and the day before&nbsp;for examples (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34751"><strong><span>photo and details</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://mtavalanche.com/node/34742"><strong><span>details and photo</span></strong></a>). Avoid obviously wind-loaded slopes or evaluate the upper snowpack for instability. Signs like cracking will not be forthcoming before an avalanche occurs.</p>

<p><strong>Persistent slab avalanches</strong> are less likely, but remain a concern, particularly in the Lionhead, Southern Gallatin, and Southern Madison Ranges, and to a lesser extent, the Cooke City area. Several avalanches broke 2-3 feet deep on buried weak layers within the last week in the Taylor Fork area (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34722"><strong><span>avalanche 1</span></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34697"><strong><span>avalanche 2</span></strong></a>) and north of Cooke City (<a href="https://mtavalanche.com/node/34742"><strong><span>avalanche 3</span></strong></a>). Reduce your risk by selecting smaller slopes without terrain traps and following safe travel practices. Testing the snowpack before entering steep terrain will help you identify instability.</p>

<p>Each avalanche problem demands distinct management strategies, so be mindful of the most pressing threat at any given time. The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the morning but will quickly rise to CONSIDERABLE as wet snow instability intensifies.</p>