Trip Planning for Southern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today0″ | NA
Nov 17 2″ |
Nov 16 3″ |
9460′     11/05 at 9:00
34.4℉
N - 0mph
Gusts 2 mph
9000′     11/18 at 18:00
9℉
26″ 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

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 8
  • Snowpit at Bridger Bowl on 11/5. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • Photo: S. Bonucci

  • 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

  • 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

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

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

  • 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

WebCams


Raynolds Pass, Looking N

Snowpit Profiles- Southern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Southern Madison

Extended Forecast for

20 Miles S Big Sky MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 1am.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. Wind chill values as low as -10. South southwest wind around 10 mph.  Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 4 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: A slight chance of snow before noon, then a slight chance of snow after 1pm.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 13. Wind chill values as low as -10. Southwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 20%.

    High: 13 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. Wind chill values as low as -15. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

    Low: 6 °F

    Partly Cloudy
    then Partly
    Cloudy and
    Breezy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -10. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 21 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 18 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow likely.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 28 °F

    Snow Likely
    and Breezy

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 11pm.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 24 °F

    Snow Likely
    and Breezy

  • Friday

    Friday: A chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

    High: 32 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: A chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy.

    Low: 26 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

The Last Word

11 / 13 / 24  <<  
 
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