24-25

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> continue to be the main avalanche concern. The snowpack should be mostly wet this morning from above freezing overnight air temperatures and cloudy skies. Wet snow can even be found on north facing slopes except at the highest elevations. Without any sunshine today and cooling temperature this afternoon, I don’t expect much wet snow avalanche activity.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Look out for areas where the snowpack is especially wet and unsupportable like slopes that were in the sun yesterday - wet loose avalanches will be more likely in these areas. Places with more supportable snow will have the lowest likelihood for wet avalanches and better skiing and riding conditions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> were an issue during the past week, but they have likely stabilized. Look out for a few shallow, new ones that may form late today with snow and increased winds.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Large overhanging cornices</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are always a concern, but more so with such warm temperatures. A local guide skiing near Cooke City yesterday </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34899"><span><span><span><span><span><… a large cornice fall midday</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. Stay far back from the edge of corniced ridges, and move fast if you have to travel under them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanche conditions are generally safe but the snowpack hasn’t gotten a good refreeze, so the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>With temperatures already above freezing this morning, sunny skies, and temperatures rising into the 50s F today,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> Wet Loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are the primary avalanche concern. With clear skies overnight, some areas will likely have thin crusts at the surface, but those will break down quickly in today’s intense mid-April sun. Wet Loose avalanches will mostly be confined to the snow that fell on Tuesday, sliding on the firm crusts beneath. Don’t discount the power of these relatively small slides - even a slide a few inches deep can entrain a lot of snow and take you for quite an unpleasant ride. Wet loose avalanches will either start at your feet or could come down from above you from near exposed rocks on steep, sunny slopes. Plan to move off steep, sunny slopes as the day heats up and there are more than a couple inches of wet snow at the surface.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind Slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are still possible on shady, high elevation slopes with colder, drier snow. On Wednesday, there were natural and skier triggered wind slabs in the Bridgers and near Big Sky (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34888"><span><span><span><strong><span…;, </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34894"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). Another 48 hours of warm temperatures have likely glued most of these slabs on, but be on the lookout for the slopes where they haven’t. Cracks shooting out in front of your skis or snowmobile are bullseye information that drifts remain unstable. Consider keeping things simple by just steering around wind drifts.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>After a night with no freeze,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> Cornices </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>breaking off are another concern. Minimize time spent below them and stay far back from the edge while traveling along ridgelines.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is MODERATE throughout the forecast area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The main avalanche concern is </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>wet loose avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> due to above freezing temperatures and sunshine that will make the snow surface wet and non-cohesive. Snow that fell on Tuesday will quickly become moist and slide easily on firm crusts underneath. Larger slides are possible where more snow fell on Tuesday. Wet loose slides even just a few inches deep can easily knock you over, entrain a lot of snow, run long distances and pack a powerful punch if you get caught in one. Natural wet loose slides will initiate near rock outcrops on steep, sunny slopes. Pay attention to what is above you and avoid or minimize time spent on and below steep sunny slopes, especially during the heat of the day. Look for slopes with colder drier snow, and plan to be off and out from below steep slopes before the snow surface becomes moist or wet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Wind slab avalanches</span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> are an additional concern. Moderate to strong westerly wind drifted recent snow into stiffer slabs that are possible for a person to trigger. Yesterday, Dave saw natural wind slab avalanches in the Bridger Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34888"><span><span><span><strong><span…;), and near Big Sky skiers triggered some 1 foot deep slabs with a small cornice drop (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/34894"><span><span><span><strong><span…;). Although relatively small, these slabs can easily carry you down a steep slope. Watch for a textured or rounded snow surface as signs of recent wind slabs. Cracks shooting across the snow from your skis or snowmobile are a sign recent drifts are unstable. Be cautious of wind-loaded slopes, especially where a slide could drag you into rocks, trees or over cliffs.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Cornices </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>along ridgelines</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><strong><span><span> </span></span></strong></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>will weaken with the heat and could break on their own or under the weight of a person. Minimize time on slopes below cornices, and stay far back from the edge while traveling along ridgelines.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The avalanche danger is MODERATE throughout the forecast area.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>