12-13

GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Jan 8, 2013

Snowpack and Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday’s snowfall buried a surface weakness of facets and feathery surface hoar crystals that formed during last week’s sunny weather. Facets do not play nice: they are sugary and do not bond together and they can persist for months. This layer is found in all our mountain ranges and is now our #1 avalanche problem. More snow this week will increase the danger quickly, especially on wind-loaded slopes.

On Saturday, a skier reported  surface hoar in Beehive Basin.  He wrote, "Very widespread, on all open slopes in the mid elevations, even into the upper elevations (we got up to about 9300ft) and forming on cornices. I measured up to 4mm, but some could have been larger. On very solar slopes (SW) it was warm enough to burn it off, but assume it exists everywhere else up there. There has been no wind." Photo: Clark Corey


Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Mon Jan 7, 2013GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Tue Jan 8, 2013GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Wed Jan 9, 2013GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Thu Jan 10, 2013GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Fri Jan 11, 2013
Northern Madison, 2013-01-06
Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original

    •  This slide occurred on a W-NW facing slope around 10,000 ft near Cooke City.  The slide likely occurred around New Year's day.  Heavily wind loaded slopes in upper elevation terrain hold the best potential for human triggered avalanches.  Photo Beau Fredlund    


    Forecast link: GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Sun Jan 6, 2013GNFAC Avalanche Advisory for Mon Jan 7, 2013
    Cooke City, 2013-01-06
    Access other image sizes:
  • Very Large 1200px
  • Large 480px
  • Medium 220px
  • Small 150px
  • Original
    • Subscribe to 12-13