Trip Planning for Northern Gallatin

as of 5:00 am
Today0″ | 15-45 W
Dec 9 4″ | 10-20 W
Dec 8 8″ | 29-51 W
9982′     12/10 at 16:00
19.2℉
W - 11mph
Gusts 17 mph
8100′     12/10 at 16:00
27℉
23″ 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

Moderate
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
Northern Gallatin
Hyalite - main fork
Natural Avalanches in Hyalite
Incident details include images
Hyalite - main fork
SS-N-R1-D1-S
Coordinates: 45.4472, -110.9620
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Upon descending climbers saw two recent natural avalanches in the Dribbles Gully. These avalanches were failing within the new snow. 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Gallatin
Flanders Creek
Two Natural Avalanches in Flanders
Flanders Creek
N
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 45.4402, -110.9310
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

From FB message: "Hi! I’d like to report 2 natural slides that were witnessed in the Flanders fork of Hyalite on Friday 11/24 on the east facing aspect of the canyon. Both avalanches came from a single snow field above “Bobo Like” ice climb. These slides happened at approximately 7:45am and 8:15am"


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 16
  • From obs: "Windier then I expected today at me d elevations adjacent to Bridger ... Photos show lots of wind transport during the day. Felt a few collapses while skinning."

  • From obs: 

    "On descent this new snow was touchy, and we observed 2 natural avalanches, max depth 15 cm, on the small end of size 1, F hardness, running less than 30-50m exclusively in new snow. (SS-N-R1D1-N)"

  • From obs: 

    "On descent this new snow was touchy, and we observed 2 natural avalanches, max depth 15 cm, on the small end of size 1, F hardness, running less than 30-50m exclusively in new snow. (SS-N-R1D1-N)"

  • From obs: 

    "On descent this new snow was touchy, and we observed 2 natural avalanches, max depth 15 cm, on the small end of size 1, F hardness, running less than 30-50m exclusively in new snow. (SS-N-R1D1-N)"

  • Climbers in the Dribbles area of Hyalite Canyon collapsed a slab of wind-drifted snow resulting in a spider web of shooting cracks. Photo: Sam

     

  • Climbers in the Dribbles area of Hyalite Canyon collapsed a slab of wind-drifted snow resulting in a spider web of shooting cracks. Photo: Sam

     

  • At 9,000 feet there was about an inch of new snow. It was calm at first light, but by mid morning winds were gusty and blowing straight down the gullies. It stripped what little snow there was and did not create an avalanche hazard. However, the 6+" in the gullies are all faceted, and with even a thin wind-load it was easy to get cracking. With snowfall predicted for the next 48 hours and again later this week, we'll need to be on the lookout for pockets or gullies of wind blown snow.

  • We climbed to the Upper Mummy's (west facing) and found relatively little snow at 9,000'. Gullies that usually fill in from wind-loading were not showing much depth. HS was less than 6 inches on the hike up (see pic). Across the valley looking at Elephant and Palace Butte, the bowls were snow covered, but barely (pic). Lower elevation, east facing slopes were mostly mostly dirt.

    The avalanche danger is non-existent on most slopes. The exception would be high elevation gullies that happened to get wind drifts, but these are not widespread.

    Wind was calm and skies were sunny, with an air temp in the teens F.

     

  • We climbed to the Upper Mummy's (west facing) and found relatively little snow at 9,000'. Gullies that usually fill in from wind-loading were not showing much depth. HS was less than 6 inches on the hike up (see pic). Across the valley looking at Elephant and Palace Butte, the bowls were snow covered, but barely (pic). Lower elevation, east facing slopes were mostly mostly dirt.

    The avalanche danger is non-existent on most slopes. The exception would be high elevation gullies that happened to get wind drifts, but these are not widespread.

    Wind was calm and skies were sunny, with an air temp in the teens F.

     

  • Skiers reported triggering an avalanche on the east face of Mt. Blackmore on Sunday. Photo: Anonymous

  • Skiers reported triggering an avalanche on the east face of Mt. Blackmore on Sunday. Photo: Anonymous

  • From obs (10/29): "Went for a skin up to Hyalite Peak yesterday to check out snow conditions. We found about 8-12 inches of new snow sitting on a base at Hyalite Lake. We saw no signs of instability in the area. Small cornices were observed on the Hyalite saddle, and a hit or miss 1 inch wind slab directly below the ridge." Photo: T. Saulnier

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

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

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

  • Get your tickets and online bid for items HERE!

WebCams


Bozeman Pass, Looking SE

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Gallatin

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Gallatin

Extended Forecast for

14 Miles SE Gallatin Gateway 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 likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Snow Likely

    High: 27 °F

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Snow likely, mainly before 9pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Snow Likely
    then Chance
    Snow

    Low: 20 °F

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow likely, mainly between 11am and 3pm.  Cloudy, with a high near 27. West southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    Snow Likely

    High: 27 °F

  • Monday
    Night

    Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

    Mostly Cloudy

    Low: 14 °F

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 27. West southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.

    Sunny

    High: 27 °F

  • Tuesday
    Night

    Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

    Mostly Clear

    Low: 14 °F

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 32. South southwest wind around 9 mph.

    Sunny

    High: 32 °F

  • Wednesday
    Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. South wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

    Mostly Clear

    Low: 17 °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  <<  
 
this forecast
 
  >>  This is the most recent forecast.