Trip Planning for Northern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today3″ | 20-30 W
Feb 15 16″ | 15-30 W
Feb 14 1″ | 25-35 SW
9400′     2/16 at 21:00
16 ℉
E - 13 mph, Gusts 21
9 " New
8880′     02/16 at 20:00
18℉
61″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Snowfall ramped up again early this morning across the forecast area and will continue throughout the day, improving skiing and riding conditions and worsening the avalanche danger. Human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes with fresh drifts of wind-loaded snow. Seek out terrain sheltered from the effects of the wind and recognize recent avalanche activity and shooting cracks as critical information about a slope’s instability. Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees below cornices and where you observe signs of significant wind loading.

Past 5 Days

Wed Feb 12

Moderate
Thu Feb 13

Moderate
Fri Feb 14

Moderate
Sat Feb 15

Moderate
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Snowmobile triggered avalanche Buck Ridge
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-AMu-R2-D2-S
Coordinates: 45.1719, -111.3800
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Buck ridge, snowmobile triggered avalanche. Propagated storm slab.


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Recent Wind Slab Avalanches in 2nd Yellow Mule
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-N-R1-D1
Coordinates: 45.1719, -111.3800
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. 

 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Wind Slab Avalanche near Buck Weather Station
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-AMc-R1-D1
Coordinates: 45.1628, -111.3510
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • Buck Ridge, snowmobile triggered avalanche. Propagated in the storm slab. Photo: C Erhard

  • Swift Current lift shut down all day Wednesday 2/5/25 by ski patrol

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • Strong winds blew all day from the SW, sustaining 30mph at ridgelines. Snow was actively transported all day by winds, and plumes were visible on far away ridgelines and summits. Photo: GNFAC

  • This slab from my ski cut was about 20” deep and 60’ wide. It’s NE facing so pretty wind blown. Photo: S Budac

  • Cracking and isolated pockets of wind slab in Beehive. 

  • Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.

  • We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Saw this cool illustration of wind deposition, scouring and unaffected snow on a ridge line near the top of Bear Creek at the far end of Buck Ridge. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Photo: M R

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Jan 24, Buck Ridge... We dug on an E facing slope at 9,400'. Snow depth was 155cm (5 feet) and we had an ECTN12 on the surface hoar layer 10" down. Photo GNFAC

  • Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

  • Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

  • Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

  • Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

  • Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker

  • On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.

    The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School. 

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • Triggered slide in Beaver Creek 1 Jan 2024

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Small avalanche NE aspect near top of beaver. D1 natural trigger wind slab. Only observed avalanche from groomer trail. Photo: Z Bailey

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • Small slide in terrain trap. Looks to be old, likely from before the wind event that occurred mid last week. A snowmobile track leads into it with wind-drifted snow covering the track. Photo: L Welles

  •  We triggered a 12" soft wind slab on a NE facing slope at 9,5k'. Photo: J Gerardi

  • Photo: J Aid

  • Middle Basin ECT

WebCams


8800' Camera, Lone Peak view

Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

Winter Weather Advisory February 16, 09:15pm until February 17, 11:00pmClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Weather Advisory
  •   Winter Weather Advisory February 16, 09:15pm until February 17, 11:00pm

    NOW until 11:00pm Mon

    Winter Weather Advisory

  • Tonight

    Low: 13 °F

    Snow

  • Washington's Birthday

    Washington's Birthday: Snow.  High near 19. West wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    High: 19 °F

    Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: Snow.  Low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -5. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Low: 5 °F

    Snow

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Snow.  High near 12. Wind chill values as low as -10. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    High: 12 °F

    Snow then
    Snow Likely

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before 11pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 0. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 0 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Mostly
    Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    High: 21 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Snow.  Low around 16. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

    Low: 16 °F

    Snow

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow likely, mainly before 11am.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    High: 23 °F

    Snow Likely

The Last Word

02 / 15 / 25  <<  
 
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