GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Mar 11, 2025
This is Dave Zinn with the avalanche forecast for Tuesday, March 11th, at 7:00 a.m. sponsored by Bridger Bowl and Beartooth Adventures. This forecast does not apply to operating ski areas.
This morning, temperatures are in the high teens to 30 F, with 15-35 mph winds from the west and southwest. There is no new snow.
Today, temperatures will be in the 30s to low-40s F, with 15-30 mph winds from the west and southwest. Snow returns to the area Wednesday night.
All Regions
Avalanches are unlikely throughout the forecast area. While conditions are stable overall, isolated instabilities may exist within recently drifted snow and the warming snow later this afternoon. Weak layers in the mountains around West Yellowstone are dormant until the next storm wakes them up.
Most recent wind drifts have bonded to underlying snow surfaces, and slides will be relatively small on isolated slopes where wind slab instability exists. The most likely location for lingering instability is upper-elevation terrain, especially on slopes immediately below cornices (cornices collapsing under their weight is a separate but relevant concern). Dig an extended column test a couple of feet deep to assess the snowpack and watch for cracking around your skis, board or sled if you are considering travel on steep and consequential slopes where a small avalanche could be dangerous (video).
Small, wet loose avalanches may release naturally or with human triggers as the day warms, especially in south-facing and rocky terrain where melting weakens snow surfaces. Multiple days of sequential melting and freezing, along with breezy conditions this afternoon, should limit instability. Watch for cinnamon roll-like pinwheels and wet snow in the top few inches of the snowpack that indicate decreasing stability. Move to shadier, north-facing terrain to resolve the issue.
Persistent slab avalanches failing 2-3’ deep on buried weak layers are unlikely, with the last slide of this type occurring a week and a half ago (details). These weak layers are primarily limited to the Lionhead area, Southern Gallatin, and Southern Madison Ranges. Dig three feet and test for instability on weak layers to further reduce the chances of getting unlucky (see Mark’s video about finding this layer). Alex described in his recent video from Lionhead why persistent weak layers in the mountains near West Yellowstone will return as a concern when they get loaded by the weight of new snow.
Remember that experts are simply people who execute the basics flawlessly. Adhere to the fundamentals of avalanche safety–beacon, shovel, probe, one at a time on steep slopes and eyes open for signs of isolated instability. The danger is rated LOW.
Upcoming Avalanche Education and Events
Our education calendar is full of awareness lectures and field courses. Check it out: Events and Education Calendar
Avalanche awareness focused on springtime avalanche conditions: Thursday, March 13 at the Bozeman REI from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free but has limited space and requires registration HERE.