Trip Planning for Southern Madison

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Nov 163″ |
Nov 15 0″ | NA
Nov 14 0″ | NA
Taylor Fork Weather
9460′     11/05 at 9:00
34.4℉
N - 0mph
Gusts 2 mph
Carrot Basin SNOTEL
9000′     11/17 at 01:00
14℉
22″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Fresh wind slabs are the main avalanche problem especially by Sunday when strong winds should blow from the west. Early-season avalanches may not bury you, but they will hurt playing pinball with you through the rocks and stumps. Hunters should be especially cautious since they often travel alone and without avalanche rescue gear. Avoid steep slopes with snow deeper than your ankles.

Past 5 Days

Wed Oct 30

None
Sat Nov 2

None
Wed Nov 6

None
Wed Nov 13

None
Fri Nov 15

None

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Southern Madison
Sphinx Mountain
Climber triggered wind slabs at the Sphinx
Incident details include images
Sphinx Mountain
HS-AF-R2-D1-I
Elevation: 9,600
Aspect: NW
Coordinates: 45.1582, -111.4770
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Triggered a small wind slab:

-9600'

-N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain 

-Strong SW wind

-Noticed other small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations


More Avalanche Details

North face of the Sphinx, Nov 2

Wind Slabs at the Sphinx

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 8
  • Snowpit at Bridger

    Snowpit at Bridger Bowl on 11/5. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • North face of the Sphinx, Nov 2

    Photo: S. Bonucci

  • Wind Slabs at the Sphinx

    From obs.: "Triggered a small wind slab: -9600' -N aspect on the NW ridge of Sphinx Mountain -Strong SW wind

    -Noticed oth er small crowns, likely triggered from another party traversing the north-facing bowl at similar elevations" Photo: S. Bonucci

  • Cracking in recent hard wind slab

    From e-mail: "Photo attached from near top of hyalite peak, 11/2. Cracking in recent hard wind slab, I had to really jump hard to make this. Walked on many other hard slabs that were well bonded. Highly variable snowpack. I think you'd be most likely to get into trouble by popping out a small hard slab pocket like this and getting magic carpeted into some thinly covered terrain." Photo: B. VandenBos

  • Minor Faceting in At Spanish Peaks Resort

    From obs: "1-3 mm faceting in front of the Montage. Clear skys and mid 20 temps"

  • Fresh Snow in Big Sky

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Yellowstone Club Webcam

  • Bridger Bowl Ridge Webcam

    On October 17, rain turned to snow and blanketed the mountains of southwest Montana with a fresh coat of snow. Photo: Bridger Bowl Webcams

  • Powder Blast 2024 - October 25

    The 26th annual fundraiser for the Friends of the GNFAC is October 25 at the Emerson Cultural Center. More info and tickets at: https://events.eventgroove.com/event/Powder-Blast-2024-101627

Videos- Southern Madison

WebCams


Raynolds Pass, Looking N

Snowpit Profiles- Southern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Southern Madison

Big Sky

Weather Forecast Southern Madison

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

20 Miles S Big Sky MT

  • Overnight

    Overnight: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Wind chill values as low as -5. Windy, with a south southwest wind around 33 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 14 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Windy

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -5. Windy, with a south southwest wind 24 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 20 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Windy
    then Slight
    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after 11pm. Low around 17. Wind chill values as low as zero. Windy, with a south wind 24 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    Low: 17 °F

    Snow and
    Windy

  • Monday

    Monday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 20. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 22 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

    High: 20 °F

    Heavy Snow
    and Breezy

  • Monday Night

    Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. West southwest wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 4 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Mostly
    Cloudy

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 13. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    High: 13 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. South wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

    Low: 3 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 18. South wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

    High: 18 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A chance of snow, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Breezy.

    Low: 16 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

The Last Word

11 / 13 / 24  <<  
 
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