Rattlesnake

Conditions are generally stable in the Rattlesnake and Seeley Lake zones today. Despite low danger, you may find isolated pockets of instability just below ridgelines and in very steep north-facing terrain. If it snows more than forecast today, small avalanches could develop in the new snow at upper elevations. Continue to assess the snow, practice safe travel, and stay alert for signs of instability, such as cracking and whumphing. 

A weak storm is impacting the region today, bringing light snowfall and light winds. The storm is favoring the Bitterroot, where small avalanche problems will develop in the fresh snow today. In the Rattlesnake and Seeley Lake zones, the new snow is unlikely to accumulate enough to increase the avalanche danger. If we get higher than forecasted snowfall amounts or the winds pick up, the avalanche danger could increase to moderate at upper elevations in these zones. 

Stability continued to improve during the mild weather on Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday observers found generally stable conditions except for isolated lingering wind slabs along upper elevation ridgelines. These small pockets of hard wind slab produced cracking and collapsing, and one observer triggered a small wind slab in the Gash area. All aspects except northerlies had breakable sun crusts at the snow surface yesterday. 

An inch or two of snow fell overnight, and another 2 to 4 inches are forecast to fall today. Small avalanches in the fresh snow could develop today, especially if snowfall amounts exceed expectations. Skiers and riders could trigger small dry loose avalanches on steep slopes. Manage dry loose avalanches by getting out of their way and letting them run. These avalanches could push riders into or over terrain traps, especially where they funnel in chutes. 

Today’s snowfall is arriving with light winds that will struggle to transport much snow. Consequently, any fresh wind slabs will be soft, small, and isolated to just below ridgelines where the winds are strongest. There are also lingering pockets of old wind slab from last weekend’s storm. Stay alert for shooting cracks and avoid steep slopes with pillows of wind drifted snow. 

Cornices are large and pose threat, especially when the sun is shining. Avoid spending time underneath them and stay well back from the edge when above, as they can break unexpectedly and further back than anticipated. 

Warm temperatures are causing glide cracks to open. Stay off slopes where you see these. They can release full-depth glide avalanches without warning.

Lately, we have been lucky to generally only have to deal with new snow avalanche problems and be able to operate in a spring-like mindset. However, many other areas in the mountain west are still dealing with buried persistent weak layers and have dangerous avalanche conditions. If you travel outside of our region, be prepared to switch gears into a much more mid-winter-like mindset. 

Triggering an avalanche today is unlikely but not impossible. Continue to practice good travel habits, such as skiing one at a time, assessing the snow for instabilities, and staying alert for signs of instability, such as shooting cracks and whumphing. 

Snow showers will continue tonight into tomorrow, and west winds will increase. Additionally, a stronger storm is forecast to impact the region this weekend. Stay alert for changing conditions and increased avalanche danger over the next few days. 

Please let us know what you find out there today by submitting an observation. 

Ski and ride safe.