Trip Planning for Southern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today3″ | 15-38 SW
Mar 15 3″ | 10-28 SW
Mar 14 6″ | 15-30 NW
9460′     03/16 at 23:00
25.3℉
SW - 29mph
Gusts 69 mph
9000′     03/16 at 21:00
25℉
80″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Wind slab avalanches are easy to trigger and dangerous avalanche conditions will develop. Heavy snowfall is possible today and strong wind will continue, so the size, likelihood and distribution of avalanches will increase through the day. Loose snow avalanches and storm slab avalanches are also possible and can easily run long distances on the crust below the new snow. An additional problem south of Big Sky to West Yellowstone are deeper persistent slab avalanches breaking 2-5 feet deep on the weak snow that was buried in late January. Avoid steep wind-loaded slopes. Consider avoiding all slopes steeper than 30 degrees as heavy snowfall and strong wind increase the chances of human-triggered and natural avalanches through the day.

Past 5 Days

Wed Mar 12

Low
Thu Mar 13

Considerable
Fri Mar 14

Moderate
Sat Mar 15

Moderate
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Southern Madison
Taylor Fork
Snowmobiler triggered 3 foot deep slide Sunlight Basin
Incident details include images
Incident details contain video
Taylor Fork
HS-AMu-R2-D2-O
Elevation: 8,800
Aspect: NW
Coordinates: 44.9772, -111.2860
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

A group of riders saw Mark at the gas station and shared that they had triggered a 4' deep slide in a small pocket in Sunlight Basin of the Taylor Fork area. It was in an area with a relatively shallower snowpack, and broke on weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack. The rider that triggered it was going uphill and got stuck shortly after and noted the snowpack was much deeper there.


More Avalanche Details
Southern Madison
Taylor Fork
Wet slides in S. Madison
Incident details include images
Taylor Fork
WL-N-R1-D1.5
Coordinates: 45.0607, -111.2720
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

There were a handful of small wet-loose avalanches on solar aspects that we noted throughout the day. While northerly aspects stayed cold, solar aspects became wet a couple inches down.

 


More Avalanche Details
Southern Madison
Taylor Fork
Small PWL Avalanche in Carrot Basin
Incident details include images
Taylor Fork
HS-AM-R1-D1-O
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: N
Coordinates: 45.0607, -111.2720
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

We spotted a few old avalanches. One in Cabin Creek that was triggered two days ago by snowmobilers on a N facing aspect. At the top of Carrot Basin, we saw a small avalanche (R1-D1) on a N aspect that likely broke yesterday on buried weak layers. We also spotted one cornice-fall triggered (R1-D2) avalanche that broke earlier this week in Sage Basin and then an older wind slab in Sunlight Basin. 

 

 


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • On March 15 We looked at the avalanche in Sunlight Basin/Taylor Fork that was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday (Mar 14). It was 50' wide, 100' vertical, 2-3' deep hard slab with 8-9" new snow on top. Broke on weak facets buried in late January. Dirt layer from Feb 4 was visible 6-8" above weak layer. Bed surface was 3" to 1.5' deep of weak, sugary facets. Slope angle was 38-40+ degrees. 8800', WNW aspect. Photo: GNFAC

  • On March 15 We looked at the avalanche in Sunlight Basin/Taylor Fork that was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday (Mar 14). It was 50' wide, 100' vertical, 2-3' deep hard slab with 8-9" new snow on top. Broke on weak facets buried in late January. Dirt layer from Feb 4 was visible 6-8" above weak layer. Bed surface was 3" to 1.5' deep of weak, sugary facets. Slope angle was 38-40+ degrees. 8800', WNW aspect. Photo: GNFAC

  • On March 15 We looked at the avalanche in Sunlight Basin/Taylor Fork that was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday (Mar 14). It was 50' wide, 100' vertical, 2-3' deep hard slab with 8-9" new snow on top. Broke on weak facets buried in late January. Dirt layer from Feb 4 was visible 6-8" above weak layer. Bed surface was 3" to 1.5' deep of weak, sugary facets. Slope angle was 38-40+ degrees. 8800', WNW aspect. Photo: GNFAC

  • On March 15 We looked at the avalanche in Sunlight Basin/Taylor Fork that was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday (Mar 14). It was 50' wide, 100' vertical, 2-3' deep hard slab with 8-9" new snow on top. Broke on weak facets buried in late January. Dirt layer from Feb 4 was visible 6-8" above weak layer. Bed surface was 3" to 1.5' deep of weak, sugary facets. Slope angle was 38-40+ degrees. 8800', WNW aspect. Photo: GNFAC

  • On March 15 We looked at the avalanche in Sunlight Basin/Taylor Fork that was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday (Mar 14). It was 50' wide, 100' vertical, 2-3' deep hard slab with 8-9" new snow on top. Broke on weak facets buried in late January. Dirt layer from Feb 4 was visible 6-8" above weak layer. Bed surface was 3" to 1.5' deep of weak, sugary facets. Slope angle was 38-40+ degrees. 8800', WNW aspect. Photo: GNFAC

  • On Mar 14 A group of riders shared that they had triggered a 4' deep slide in a small pocket in Sunlight Basin of the Taylor Fork area. It was in an area with a relatively shallower snowpack, and broke on weak snow near the bottom of the snowpack. The rider that triggered it was going uphill and got stuck shortly after and noted the snowpack was much deeper there.

  • Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

    There were a handful of small wet-loose avalanches on solar aspects that we noted throughout the day. While northerly aspects stayed cold, solar aspects became wet a couple inches down. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • Another day of warm temps and clear skies allowed us to cover a lot of ground in the Southern Madisons. We rode into the Taylor Fork, up to the weather station, to the top of Carrot Basin, through Sage Basin, up and over into Cabin Creek, and all the way up to the head of Red Canyon.

    There were a handful of small wet-loose avalanches on solar aspects that we noted throughout the day. While northerly aspects stayed cold, solar aspects became wet a couple inches down. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • Photo taken Mar 1 by GNFAC

     

  • We also spotted an old wind slab avalanche (R1-D2) that broke earlier this week in Sunlight Basin. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • On Mar 1 we also spotted one older cornice-fall triggered avalanche in Sunlight Basin. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • On Mar 1 we also spotted two cornice-fall triggered (R2-D2) avalanches that broke earlier this week - one in Sunlight Basin and one in Sage Basin. Photo: GNFAC

     

     

  • On Mar 1 We also spotted one cornice-fall triggered (R2-D2) avalanche that broke earlier this week in Sage Basin. Photo: GNFAC

  • At the top of Carrot Basin, we saw a small avalanche (R1-D1) on a N aspect that likely broke yesterday on buried weak layers. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • At the top of Carrot Basin, we saw a small avalanche (R1-D1) on a N aspect that likely broke yesterday on buried weak layers. Photo: GNFAC

     

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • From IG message: "Getting word that a group triggered a decent slide today out at cabin creek. I’ll attach the coordinates to the general area, to the best of my knowledge.

    44.86484, -111.22023

    No burials. They were able to outride if. But thought I’d send coordinates in case you guys were gonna be in the area and wanted to check it out."

  • From IG message: "Getting word that a group triggered a decent slide today out at cabin creek. I’ll attach the coordinates to the general area, to the best of my knowledge.

    44.86484, -111.22023

    No burials. They were able to outride if. But thought I’d send coordinates in case you guys were gonna be in the area and wanted to check it out."

  • Snowmobile triggered avalanche likely on Saturday, Feb 22. It appeared that no one was caught or buried.

     

  • Snowmobile triggered avalanche that resulted in a partial burial with no injuries on Friday, Feb 21.

     

  • Snowmobile triggered avalanche that resulted in a partial burial with no injuries on Friday, Feb 21.

     

  • From IG message: "We remotely triggered this hillside in Taylor's fork yesterday [2/21] from the Ridgeline above it. We were looking for a safe spot to drop down when it released below us. Circled around for some pictures. The snow was pretty shallow, only 2-3 feet deep, and slid to the ground. South facing slope"

  • From IG message: "We remotely triggered this hillside in Taylor's fork yesterday [2/21] from the Ridgeline above it. We were looking for a safe spot to drop down when it released below us. Circled around for some pictures. The snow was pretty shallow, only 2-3 feet deep, and slid to the ground. South facing slope"

  • From IG message: "We remotely triggered this hillside in Taylor's fork yesterday [2/21] from the Ridgeline above it. We were looking for a safe spot to drop down when it released below us. Circled around for some pictures. The snow was pretty shallow, only 2-3 feet deep, and slid to the ground. South facing slope"

  •  There was a thin melt/freeze crust formed on solar aspects lower down (up to ~500 feet above the parking). Photo: BP

  • From email: "One of my crew was partially buried in an avalanche today(head about 1’ down, leg and arm still above snow) at approximately 13:10 hrs.  Slope was greater than 35 degrees, crown approximately 85 yards wide, over 3’ at its thickest point.  I believe it was a NE exposure with wind loading at the top.  I had a bad feeling about this slope and mentioned it to my crew and avoided riding on it until one rider ran out of gas and I had to help him.  Upon completion of task, I rode back to a spot that wasn’t as safe a vantage point as what I had previously stayed at, but the intention was we were all on our way out.  So I parked and within 30 seconds, I hear my friend yelling behind me. I turn and immediately think “oh he’s about to hit us”.  So, I  attempted to start up my sled, to no avail While watching behind me.  Suddenly, a massive “snow cloud” appeared about 30 yards above him and it took about 2-4 seconds to register that it was an avalanche and not another rider careening out of control at us.  By that time, it was too late to do anything.  The avalanche had reached the back of my friend and my sled, pushing us forward about 6 feet at 3-4mph.  After it stopped, I assessed 3 of four of our team was accounted for, and one (the one who yelled at us) was not.  He was partially buried by the front of the avalanche much like our sleds were.  Fortunately, within 5 seconds, I saw an arm and a leg sticking out of the snow and we had his airway and head cleared within about 20 seconds.   He was located approximately 10 yards from us.  "

  • From email: "One of my crew was partially buried in an avalanche today(head about 1’ down, leg and arm still above snow) at approximately 13:10 hrs.  Slope was greater than 35 degrees, crown approximately 85 yards wide, over 3’ at its thickest point.  I believe it was a NE exposure with wind loading at the top.  I had a bad feeling about this slope and mentioned it to my crew and avoided riding on it until one rider ran out of gas and I had to help him.  Upon completion of task, I rode back to a spot that wasn’t as safe a vantage point as what I had previously stayed at, but the intention was we were all on our way out.  So I parked and within 30 seconds, I hear my friend yelling behind me. I turn and immediately think “oh he’s about to hit us”.  So, I  attempted to start up my sled, to no avail While watching behind me.  Suddenly, a massive “snow cloud” appeared about 30 yards above him and it took about 2-4 seconds to register that it was an avalanche and not another rider careening out of control at us.  By that time, it was too late to do anything.  The avalanche had reached the back of my friend and my sled, pushing us forward about 6 feet at 3-4mph.  After it stopped, I assessed 3 of four of our team was accounted for, and one (the one who yelled at us) was not.  He was partially buried by the front of the avalanche much like our sleds were.  Fortunately, within 5 seconds, I saw an arm and a leg sticking out of the snow and we had his airway and head cleared within about 20 seconds.   He was located approximately 10 yards from us.  "

  • Snowmobile triggered avalanche in Teepee Basin. 

  • Large cornice fall triggered avalanche in Sage Creek, Photo: GNFAC

  • This snowpit on a SE aspect was made up of a dense slab of recent snow, sitting on top of many different layers of junky, faceted grains. Propagation was easy to find (ECTP 11, HS: 112).  Photo: GNFAC

  • We saw up to five recent avalanches from the last few days. 1-2 looked to have failed on PWLs, and the rest were wind slabs. Cornice collapses triggered at least two of these avalanches. Photo: GNFAC

  • Taylor Fork, Feb 13. Photo: GNFAC

  • We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, down into the bottom of Sunlight Basin, across Carrot Basin and to the Wilderness Boundary. We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Additionally, we saw one wind slab avalanche (R1, D1) in Sunlight Basin. This slide was fresh from this morning or yesterday. Photo: GNFAC

  • We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

  • We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

  • Buried layers of surface hoar often show up a stripe in a snowpit wall (other things such a thin melt-freeze crust can look similar but feel much differently). A snowmobiler-triggered avalanche in Sunlight Basin broke on this weak layer of feathery surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

  • Relatively small persistent slab avalanche in Carrot Basin in the Taylor Fork. Photo: GNFAC

  • We rode into the Taylor Fork on Feb 13, We saw four persistent slab avalanches that likely broke last weekend or at the beginning of the week. All appeared to be snowmobiler-triggered R1-2, D1.5-2 avalanches at broke of the January layer of near-surface facets and surface hoar. Photo: GNFAC

Videos- Southern Madison

WebCams


Raynolds Pass, Looking N

Snowpit Profiles- Southern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Southern Madison

Extended Forecast for

20 Miles S Big Sky MT

Winter Weather Advisory March 16, 11:42pm until March 17, 12:00pmClick here for hazard details and duration Winter Weather Advisory
  •   Winter Weather Advisory March 16, 11:42pm until March 17, 12:00pm

    NOW until 12:00pm Mon

    Winter Weather Advisory

  • Tonight

    Low: 20 °F

    Heavy Snow
    and Blowing
    Snow

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow, mainly before 8am.  Patchy blowing snow between 3pm and 4pm. High near 26. Breezy, with a southwest wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Snow and
    Areas Blowing
    Snow

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: Snow.  Low around 17. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 17 °F

    Snow

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Snow likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19. North northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    High: 19 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. North northwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

    Low: 4 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 22. South southwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

    High: 22 °F

    Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Breezy, with a south wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

    Low: 15 °F

    Mostly Cloudy
    and Breezy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. South wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

    High: 24 °F

    Snow

The Last Word

03 / 15 / 25  <<  
 
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