24-25

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Wild weather yesterday likely threw down some </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#graupel-rimed-particles">…; and other variations in the 10” of dense, new snow along with a </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/sites/default/files/snow_obs/2025-04/screen… of strong winds</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. There are two avalanche problems to consider:</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Storm slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> - I’m unsure how well the new snow is bonded to itself and the old snow surface, but it should be dense enough to be a cohesive slab. Assess the stability of the new snow before getting into steep terrain - get onto small steep test slopes, step and ride above your partners tracks, and perform </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#extended-column-test-ect"… ECT’s</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> - Strong winds during the storm yesterday drifted the new snow and formed wind slabs that could be two feet thick. Look for places with fresh wind loading and ski or ride around those locations where there’s a good chance you’ll trigger a slide.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today near Cooke City the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in any wind-loaded terrain with drifting from yesterday’s winds. Slopes untouched by yesterday’s winds have a MODERATE danger.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Cold temperatures have helped refreeze the snowpack ending wet snow problems. With minimal new snow there are minimal dry snow avalanche problems, but still watch out for shallow wind slabs that could sweep you off your feet.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Today the avalanche danger is LOW. For the few hardy folks venturing into out of the way places, watch out for isolated locations that may have received much higher snowfall amounts. Those places will have the danger and avalanche problems more similar to the Cooke City area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> continue to be the main avalanche concern. The snowpack should be mostly wet this morning from above freezing overnight air temperatures and cloudy skies. Wet snow can even be found on north facing slopes except at the highest elevations. Without any sunshine today and cooling temperature this afternoon, I don’t expect much wet snow avalanche activity.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look out for areas where the snowpack is especially wet and unsupportable like slopes that were in the sun yesterday - wet loose avalanches will be more likely in these areas. Places with more supportable snow will have the lowest likelihood for wet avalanches and better skiing and riding conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> were an issue during the past week, but they have likely stabilized. Look out for a few shallow, new ones that may form late today with snow and increased winds.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Large overhanging cornices</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are always a concern, but more so with such warm temperatures. A local guide skiing near Cooke City yesterday </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34899"><span><span><span><span><span><… a large cornice fall midday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. Stay far back from the edge of corniced ridges, and move fast if you have to travel under them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanche conditions are generally safe but the snowpack hasn’t gotten a good refreeze, so the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With temperatures already above freezing this morning, sunny skies, and temperatures rising into the 50s F today,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> Wet Loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the primary avalanche concern. With clear skies overnight, some areas will likely have thin crusts at the surface, but those will break down quickly in today’s intense mid-April sun. Wet Loose avalanches will mostly be confined to the snow that fell on Tuesday, sliding on the firm crusts beneath. Don’t discount the power of these relatively small slides - even a slide a few inches deep can entrain a lot of snow and take you for quite an unpleasant ride. Wet loose avalanches will either start at your feet or could come down from above you from near exposed rocks on steep, sunny slopes. Plan to move off steep, sunny slopes as the day heats up and there are more than a couple inches of wet snow at the surface.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind Slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are still possible on shady, high elevation slopes with colder, drier snow. On Wednesday, there were natural and skier triggered wind slabs in the Bridgers and near Big Sky (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34888"><span><span><span><strong><span…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34894"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). Another 48 hours of warm temperatures have likely glued most of these slabs on, but be on the lookout for the slopes where they haven’t. Cracks shooting out in front of your skis or snowmobile are bullseye information that drifts remain unstable. Consider keeping things simple by just steering around wind drifts.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>After a night with no freeze,</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>breaking off are another concern. Minimize time spent below them and stay far back from the edge while traveling along ridgelines.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is MODERATE throughout the forecast area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>