Widespread buried weak layers + hurricane force winds = dangerous avalanche conditions.
Expect the unexpected today and stay away from any slope steeper than 30 degrees.
The likelihood of this problem hasn't changed much but ferocious winds have added to the uncertainty, thus increased the danger.
I’m struggling to find something positive to write about - winds have left few slopes untouched. Complicating the situation are weak layers of facets found 2-3 feet deep on most slopes that have been producing persistent slab avalanches in recent days.
Examples of recent avalanches include: a natural avalanche yesterday in Beehive Basin, one in the Bridger Range that Dave and Ian checked out yesterday (video), two in the N. Gallatin Range (Little Bear & Portal Ck), one in the N. Madison Range in Dudley Ck, one near Cooke City. Also, someone spotted a large natural avalanche in the Absarokas just south of Livingston in the Lawnmower.
Winds today won’t be loading slopes in the normal locations. Expect wind loading at lower elevations and near random terrain features.
The main problem remains triggering a persistent slab avalanche on the buried weak layers. This problem will be more likely on wind loaded or wind affected slopes. I won’t be surprised to hear of a few natural avalanches like the one spotted yesterday on the Lawnmower. The saying “weird weather causes weird avalanches” rings true today. Near Cooke City, with winds whipping the new snow into drifts, small wind slabs are also a problem.
Hurricane force winds have made avalanche conditions more dangerous and raised the danger to CONSIDERABLE across the forecast area.
Travel options - the best snow and safest riding will be on lower elevation slopes sheltered from the wind (hard to find) and less than 30 degrees in steepness. Another safer option is to travel on slopes stripped of snow by these winds. I’d avoid any slope even slightly loaded by today’s winds. A spring break, beach vacation or the Hog Roast Fundraiser in Cooke City this weekend are other good options :)
