20-21

<p>The snowpack around Bozeman, Big Sky, and West Yellowstone is shallow and weak. Total snow depths in the mountains generally range from 1-2 ft. Weeks of high pressure have gradually weakened this shallow snowpack (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBsCjnx1G-s"><strong><u>Lionhead video</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HbIdWEuo1o&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvQDzKmH… video</u></strong></a>). Once a slab builds above this weak foundation, the snowpack will rapidly become unstable (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfD3-tTguk"><strong><u>Saddle Peak video</u></strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4quJW8upKQg"><strong><u>Buck Ridge video</u></strong></a>). Last night’s few inches of low density new snow with light winds didn’t build a significant slab on most slopes. However, keep your eyes open for isolated drifts of new snow deeper than 6-8”. If you find one of these drifts, evaluate the snowpack carefully or just steer clear.</p>

<p>With such a weak foundation, expect the avalanche danger to rise as snow totals creep up in the coming days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For today, avalanches are unlikely and the avalanche danger is LOW.</p>

<p>The snowpack around Cooke City is deeper and generally not as weak as in the rest of the advisory area. Total snow depths range from 2-4 ft. This deeper snowpack was able to handle the weeks of high pressure without weakening as much. However, we have found some pockets of weak, sugary snow lower in the snowpack and there have been a few reports of buried surface hoar, so we’re not totally in the clear going forward (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj-qhUPJigw"><strong><u>video</u></stro…;). As with the rest of the advisory area, yesterday’s new snow wasn’t enough to build much of a new slab. With a more solid foundation, the avalanche danger won’t spike as quickly as more new snow accumulates over the coming days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The avalanche danger is LOW today.</p>

<p>If you get out, please send us your observations no matter how brief. You can submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong><u>websi…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong><u>mtavalanche@gmail.com</u></str…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>