Trip Planning for Island Park

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Today1″ | 20-49 W
Dec 9 2″ | 5-15 NW
Dec 8 6″ | 15-50 W
Sawtelle Peak
9885′     12/10 at 15:00
10.7℉
W - 14mph
Gusts 24 mph
Sawtelle Snowfall
8750′     12/10 at 15:34
37.4″ Depth
1.7″New
White Elephant SNOTEL
7710′     12/10 at 15:00
21℉
29″ Depth
Primary Problem: Persistent Weak Layer
Bottom Line: Yesterday was the third day in a row with reports of avalanches and widespread collapsing/whumphing of the snowpack. Across our forecast area the snowpack is unstable, and a person can easily trigger a dangerous avalanche. Slopes that had snow on the ground prior to last week’s new snow are the most dangerous, especially where recent strong winds also drifted snow into thicker slabs. Now is not the time to travel on or underneath slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Past 5 Days

Mon Dec 4

None
Thu Dec 7

Considerable
Fri Dec 8

Considerable
Sat Dec 9

Considerable
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Widespread cracking and collapsing
Coordinates: 45.2952, -111.4100
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Cracking and collapsing reported across the advisory area in the Bridger Range, Big Sky area, near West Yellowstone and Island Park, and near Cooke City.


More Avalanche Details
Island Park
Centennials - Idaho
Lotta slides in black canyon island park.
Centennials - Idaho
Coordinates: 44.5168, -111.6300
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

User comment on FB: "Lotta slides in black canyon island park."


More Avalanche Details
Island Park
Centennials - Idaho
Shooting Cracks Black Canyon, Island Park
Centennials - Idaho
Coordinates: 44.5168, -111.6300
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From FB Comment: "We were seeing shooting cracks in the snow Sunday in the Black Canyon area."


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 14
  • Cracking snow south of West Yellowstone

    From facebook message: "North facing slope 15 miles south of west Yellowstone probably 30ish degree slope. Probably 16-18 inch slab". Photo: T. Taubman

  • Island Park Beacon Checkers 1

    We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

  • Island Park Beacon Checkers 2

    We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

  • Island Park Beacon Checkers 3

    We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

  • Island Park Beacon Checkers 4

    We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

  • Island Park Beacon Checkers 5

    We met up with the Fugawee Snowmobile Club, Idaho Parks and Recreation, and Klim to install new beacon checkers at the trailhead in Island Park. Great work to the team! Photos: GNFAC

  • Fugawee Snowmobile Club Assembling New Beacon Checkers

    Fugawee Snowmobile Club Assembling New Beacon Checkers. Photo: Kent

  • Sawtelle snow depth station

    Went to do maintenance on the Sawtelle Snowfall weather station at 8800 ft just off the Sawtelle Mountain Road. Continuous snowcover starts around 8000 ft. At 8800 ft there is ~20" of snow with a mix of hard crusts and weak facets. These weak layers near the ground will be something to watch once snows again. Photo: GNFAC

  • Sawtelle road snow mast

    Went to do maintenance on the Sawtelle Snowfall weather station at 8800 ft just off the Sawtelle Mountain Road. Continuous snowcover starts around 8000 ft. At 8800 ft there is ~20" of snow with a mix of hard crusts and weak facets. These weak layers near the ground will be something to watch once snows again. Photo: GNFAC

  • Ian in front of the Sawtelle weather station

    Went to do maintenance on the Sawtelle Snowfall weather station at 8800 ft just off the Sawtelle Mountain Road. Continuous snowcover starts around 8000 ft. At 8800 ft there is ~20" of snow with a mix of hard crusts and weak facets. These weak layers near the ground will be something to watch once snows again. Photo: GNFAC

  • Avalanches at Pine Creek

    From IG: “Pine creek today, some small wind slabs and a full depth wet slide off black mountain”

  • Avalanche at Pine Creek

    From IG: “Pine creek today (10/21), some small wind slabs and a full depth wet slide off black mountain”

  • Avalanche on Mt. Blackmore, hyalite

    From obs. "Was out alpine climbing today and observed the north face of Blackmore had slid already."

  • Powder Blast 2023

    Get your tickets and online bid for items HERE!

Videos- Island Park

WebCams


US 20, Henry's Lake, South view

High Mountain Adventures, Island Park

Snowpit Profiles- Island Park

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Island Park

Big Sky

Weather Forecast Island Park

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

10 Miles ESE Lakeview MT

Winter Weather Advisory until December 10, 05:00pmClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Weather Advisory
  •  Winter Weather Advisory until December 10, 05:00pm

    NOW until
    5:00pm Sun

    Winter Weather Advisory

  • This
    Afternoon

    This Afternoon: Snow. High near 19. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Snow

    High: 19 °F

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around 16. South southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

    Snow then
    Chance Snow

    Low: 16 °F

  • Monday

    Monday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. South wind around 6 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    High: 25 °F

  • Monday
    Night

    Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Mostly Cloudy

    Low: 13 °F

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

    Mostly Sunny

    High: 27 °F

  • Tuesday
    Night

    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. North northeast wind around 10 mph.

    Partly Cloudy

    Low: 7 °F

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 27. North northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

    Sunny

    High: 27 °F

  • Wednesday
    Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.

    Mostly Clear

    Low: 10 °F

The Last Word

Listen to GNFAC Forecaster Dave Zinn on the Hoary Marmot Podcast for some extracurricular avalanche talk (link to episode).

12 / 9 / 23  <<  
 
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