Cooke City
Over the past 48 hours Fisher Creek Snotel site has received 1.2 inches of SWE with higher amounts likely at upper elevations. This latest round of moisture continues the impressive run of never ending snow in the mountains around Cooke City (chart of current and median SWE amounts).
The Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered this large slide during control work. It took place in the upper A-Z Chutes and is a good example of what's possible in the backcountry. Photo BSSP
This large natural avalanche occurred just outside the northern boundary of Big Sky Resort. It broke close to one thousand feet wide was triggered by a natural cornice fall. The slide occurred on a NE facing slope and failed on the facet layer formed during the January dry spell. It stepped down and broke on facets near the ground on the far right side of the slide. Photo BSSP
Cooke City
This recent slide was spotted yesterday (3/4) on a northerly aspect at the head of the Cottonwood drainage just east of Alex Lowe Peak and south of Mt. Blackmore. Photo: B. Vandebos
This avalanche was spotted yesterday (3/4) on a SW aspect of Elephant mountain at the head of the Cottonwood drainage behind Mt. Blackmore. Photo: B. Vandenbos
This slide was seen yesterday (3/4) on the East face of Mt Blackmore. This slope produced a much larger avalanche in mid-January (see photo). Photo: B. Vandenbos
Snowfall in February and early March as pushed SWE totals well above the 30 year median. Graph produced by the NRCS.
Cooke City
Will it ever stop!? The mountains around Cooke City have a fire hose pointed directly at them and the handle to turn it off is broken. Over the past 24 hours Fisher Creek Snotel site has received another 1.1 inches of SWE (snow water equivalent) – making the 48 hour total 1.9 inches of SWE. The 30 day total for Fisher Creek Snotel site is now over 13 inches of SWE!
Cooke City
The mountains around Cooke City have a lot of snow. At Fisher Creek Snotel site (elev. 9,100 ft.) there is ten feet of snow on the ground. Higher elevations have even more snow. A general rule of thumb is that a deep snowpack is a strong snowpack. However, relentless snowfall and strong winds continue to produce multiple avalanche problems (video).
