| Current Conditions: April 3, 2010 UPDATE (8 AM)--Winter is back. Up to 10" of snow has fallen above 8,000' in last 24 hrs. with over 2.0 inches of water content in last 5 days in over 20" of snow. . The data in table was as of 3/18/2010. AVALANCHE hazard is CONSIDERABLE to HIGH with VERY DANGEROUS conditions. New snow and winds will INCREASE hazard today. Remember--"Pockets" exist with a higher hazard than the general forecast rating. |
Avalanche Forecasts: are for backcountry areas--not groomed trails. Click the "blue links" which
follow for full details, since only the "highlights" are shown below:
GALLATIN N.F. AVALANCHE CENTER (click for current advisory)--As of 3/30/10-- "Near the ground, especially in
the southern Madison and Lionhead area, the depth hoar from December will be quivering under this big load
(10-12" new). The snowpack in the south has been on spring break for over six weeks: lots of rest and
relaxation. Today is game time and the pack will suffer like a pudgy teenager entering boot camp. Given the
weak layers becoming more unstable with every inch of snow added, the avalanche danger today is rated HIGH
on all wind-loaded slopes. Slopes not affected by the wind will have a CONSIDERABLE danger."
BRIDGER-TETON N.F. AVALANCHE CENTER (click for current advisory)--as of 3/30/10--"An AVALANCHE
WARNING has been issued by the Bridger- Teton National Forest Avalanche Center via the National Weather
Service. Strong winds and heavy snowfall will rapidly increase the avalanche hazard. New soft slabs will form
on slick old snow surfaces and rapidly gain depth and volume. Dangerous new snow avalanches up to three
feet in depth are likely to be human triggered or release naturally. Wet snow avalanches are possible at the
lower elevations. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during these conditions. Area roadways may
be impacted."
follow for full details, since only the "highlights" are shown below:
GALLATIN N.F. AVALANCHE CENTER (click for current advisory)--As of 3/30/10-- "Near the ground, especially in
the southern Madison and Lionhead area, the depth hoar from December will be quivering under this big load
(10-12" new). The snowpack in the south has been on spring break for over six weeks: lots of rest and
relaxation. Today is game time and the pack will suffer like a pudgy teenager entering boot camp. Given the
weak layers becoming more unstable with every inch of snow added, the avalanche danger today is rated HIGH
on all wind-loaded slopes. Slopes not affected by the wind will have a CONSIDERABLE danger."
BRIDGER-TETON N.F. AVALANCHE CENTER (click for current advisory)--as of 3/30/10--"An AVALANCHE
WARNING has been issued by the Bridger- Teton National Forest Avalanche Center via the National Weather
Service. Strong winds and heavy snowfall will rapidly increase the avalanche hazard. New soft slabs will form
on slick old snow surfaces and rapidly gain depth and volume. Dangerous new snow avalanches up to three
feet in depth are likely to be human triggered or release naturally. Wet snow avalanches are possible at the
lower elevations. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during these conditions. Area roadways may
be impacted."
| Data Sources: Snowfall amounts and snow depths are from NRCS--Snotel sites in the area; from a USFS remote station on Lionhead ridge; and from a private snow-plot at North Henrys Lake. NOTE--the Henrys Lake link in the snow data table above does not have snow data available--it only provides basic weather data and precip (which you can use to estimate snowfall). Avalanche forecasts are from the Bozeman, MT and Jackson, WY Forecast Centers. Local weather forecast information is from the Pocatello, ID NWS site, and highway webcam sites. Links (blue, highlighted terms) to these data-source sites are provided throughout these daily web pages. Data Archives: We do not currently have an archive system set up so that you can view previous reports, but both Forecast Offices have them. If you have a data question about a previous day, please send me an email (see Contact Us page for address) request about what data or narrative you'd like. I'll do my best to supply the information from my hard copy or data disk files. |
help |
| Daily snowfall and snow-depth data in this Table are taken from the site locations (circled numbers 1--6) on the MAP below the Table. (Click the map to enlarge) |
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| Island Park / West Yellowstone--Snow and Avalanche Information |
Publisher's NOTE: If you need avalanche gear---be sure to check out -- Yellowstone Adventures -- in West Yellowstone--they have a
great assortment of beacons, probes, shovels, etc. For avalanche gear in Island Park, contact --I.P. Adventures. Be sure you have
adequate avalanche awareness training, knowledge, and equipment-- BEFORE you approach avalanche terrain. The B-T and Gallatin
N.F. Avalanche Centers are the closest available source of Forest Service avalanche hazard evaluation and forecasts, and are general
in their application. Due to the variability in weather and avalanche conditions in the mountains, it is important that visitors to the Island
Park and West Yellowstone Area study the two available hazard forecasts (above), along with the snow and weather information
herein and cautiously make their own evaluations of avalanche hazard in this area. This should include snow-pit studies in the area
you plan to visit. REMEMBER--there are always "pockets" of snow with a higher hazard than the general forecast for the area. Click on
the National Avalanche Center for more information--including online training.
great assortment of beacons, probes, shovels, etc. For avalanche gear in Island Park, contact --I.P. Adventures. Be sure you have
adequate avalanche awareness training, knowledge, and equipment-- BEFORE you approach avalanche terrain. The B-T and Gallatin
N.F. Avalanche Centers are the closest available source of Forest Service avalanche hazard evaluation and forecasts, and are general
in their application. Due to the variability in weather and avalanche conditions in the mountains, it is important that visitors to the Island
Park and West Yellowstone Area study the two available hazard forecasts (above), along with the snow and weather information
herein and cautiously make their own evaluations of avalanche hazard in this area. This should include snow-pit studies in the area
you plan to visit. REMEMBER--there are always "pockets" of snow with a higher hazard than the general forecast for the area. Click on
the National Avalanche Center for more information--including online training.
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