Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

as of 5:00 am
Today0″ | 10-25 SW
Mar 25 0″ | 10-35 W
Mar 24 3″ | 15-40 W
9420′     03/26 at 9:00
35.1℉
W - 16mph
Gusts 20 mph
7750′     03/26 at 09:00
40℉
71″ Depth
Primary Problem: Loose Wet
Bottom Line: Temperatures will be 10 degrees warmer than yesterday and fewer clouds in the sky, accelerating snow surface warming. Wet snow avalanches will pack a serious punch, increasing in volume and traveling farther than yesterday. Southeast through west-facing slopes, and areas with exposed rocks or cliff bands, will be particularly susceptible. Limit your exposure to problematic aspects and slopes as the snow transitions from frozen and mostly stable to wet and unstable. Wind slab avalanches near high elevation ridgelines, and slides breaking on buried weak layers, specifically in the mountains south of Big Sky, and near West Yellowstone are additional concerns.

Past 5 Days

Sat Mar 22

Considerable
Sun Mar 23

Moderate
Mon Mar 24

Moderate
Tue Mar 25

Moderate
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Lionhead Range
LIONHEAD AREA
Many Wind Slab Avalanches at Lionhead
Incident details include images
Incident details contain video
LIONHEAD AREA
N-R2-D2-I
Elevation: 9,400
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 44.7292, -111.3230
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We saw many R1-R2 wind slab avalanches below the Lionhead Ridge cornice line. Visibility was limited so I won't estimate the exact number, but nearly every time we had good views of the steep faces, we saw cornice collapses, debris, or small crown lines. There were two slides on east aspects that ran closer to full path and piled debris more deeply. I expect that most of these had run within the last 24 hours, but continuing snowfall and hurricane force winds made precisely dating these a challenge (many trees were blown down during the wind event, these too were already somewhat buried). None of the avalanches broke on persistent weak layers as far as I could tell. 


More Avalanche Details
Lionhead Range
Lionhead Ridge
recent small wind slabs at Lionhead
Incident details include images
Lionhead Ridge
SS-N-R1-D1-S
Elevation: 9,000
Aspect: E
Coordinates: 44.7145, -111.3180
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

We rode out Lionhead Ridge and around the north end to the head of Targhee Creek. Skies started overcast, but cleared through the day as wind calmed from moderate to light out of the west and southwest.... there were two or three shallow small wind slabs below Lionhead Ridge. 


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40

Videos- Lionhead Range

WebCams


Rendezvous Ski Trail, W. Yellowstone

Snowpit Profiles- Lionhead Range

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Lionhead Range

Extended Forecast for

10 Miles WNW West Yellowstone MT

  • Today

    Today: Sunny, with a high near 43. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

    High: 43 °F

    Sunny

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. South southwest wind around 10 mph.

    Low: 30 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A chance of rain and snow, mainly after 4pm.  Increasing clouds, with a high near 42. South wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

    High: 42 °F

    Mostly Sunny
    then Chance
    Rain/Snow

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 29 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Friday

    Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow.  Partly sunny, with a high near 35. South southwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 35 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 26 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Snow, mainly after noon.  High near 33. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

    High: 33 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Snow

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Snow likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

    Low: 24 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Sunday

    Sunday: Snow likely, mainly after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31.

    High: 31 °F

    Snow Likely

The Last Word

Eastern Oregon University is conducting a survey to better understand avalanche safety preparedness among motorized backcountry users like you. Your feedback will help us learn more about who is purchasing and practicing with avalanche rescue gear (beacon, probe, shovel) and participating in avalanche education, and why some riders aren’t.  The survey is confidential and anonymous. 

Your feedback is invaluable in improving avalanche education and awareness. Please take a moment to share your experience and help us make a difference.

https://eoustmhs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3L8QKAuZzcxJBLo

Thank you for your time and for participating in this important effort!

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