23-24

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Triggering an avalanche in wind drifted snow is the primary concern today. A couple inches of light snow fell yesterday morning and winds have been strong and gusty. This has built slabs on top of the very weak snowpack that developed during our extended dry spell (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv3pmhbGE54"><span><span><span><strong>… Fork video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXw5Dvhntgc"><span><span><span><strong>… Rind video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJP7UA8qVqc"><span><span><span><strong>… Basin video</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Yesterday we had several reports of higher snowfall totals (5-6”) than weather stations reported (in Cooke City and N. Madison Range). We also got reports of wind drifts up to a foot deep. As you travel today, keep a close eye on the depth of new and windblown snow. The thickness of the slab of new snow is going to be the critical factor determining how likely you are to trigger a slide, and if you do, how big and dangerous that slide will be. Be very wary of any slope with more than 6” of new and wind drifted snow. Keep an eye out for changing conditions and new slopes being loaded as the wind direction shifts today and snowfall starts in the southern areas.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With the new snow falling on such a weak snowpack full of persistent weak layers, avalanches may break further above you, wider, and less predictably than you’d typically expect with new snow or wind slab avalanches.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>On slopes without wind effect, the light new snow hasn’t built a deep or substantial enough slab to avalanche.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look out for signs of wind drifting and signs of instability (cracking, collapsing, recent avalanches) before getting onto steep slopes. Be ready to adjust your travel plans if you see these signs.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger today is MODERATE on windloaded slopes and LOW on all other slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>