Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Wind loading should be confined to ridgetops where fresh wind slabs should be easy to identify and avoid.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapBridger Range
Gallatin NF Avalanche Center
Avalanche danger
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Highlights
3-6 inches of new snow, drifting at ridgetops, and a widespread weak layer mean that fresh wind slabs 6-12 inches thick are the main hazard today. Lose a little elevation and find wind sheltered slopes where the main issue will be sluffing of the new snow and the facets underneath.
Avalanche problems
Loose Dry
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Avalanche Discussion
Today it’s all about where it snowed the most and where the winds drifted snow. Winds haven’t been blowing too hard, but at ridgetops they have been blowing at perfect speeds to transport yesterday’s very light snow (~5% density) forming fresh wind slabs which are the main hazard today.
Dry weather during much of January weakened and faceted the snow surface, which means that many fresh wind slabs are resting on a weak layer which will make them easy to trigger. The good news is that wind slabs should mainly be at higher elevations and easy to see and avoid. Scroll through our list of recent avalanches to get a sense of this problem. Ice climbers - take note of this avalanche last Sunday, expect more like this today.
Steep slopes without any wind loading will have dry loose avalanches. Typically not a major issue, but yesterday’s light snow on top of very weak facets will sluff easily. Check out this great example yesterday from an experienced ski guide near Cooke City.
Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Northern Madison and Gallatin Ranges, Bridger Range and Cooke City area on wind loaded slopes at upper elevations where wind slabs will be 6-12 inches thick. Find great riding where winds did not drift snow and simply manage sluffing of the new snow.
In the Southern Madison and Gallatin Ranges, the Lionhead area, and Island Park area, the danger remains LOW. You may still find some thin wind slabs at ridgetops and some sluffing in steep terrain, but avalanche conditions are generally safe.
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