Trip Planning for Northern Gallatin

as of 5:00 am
Today2″ | 20-38 SW
Nov 12 2″ | 5-30 SW
Nov 11 0″ | 20-40 SW
9982′     11/13 at 15:00
24.8℉
SW - 27mph
Gusts 45 mph
8100′     11/13 at 15:00
29℉
16″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow
Bottom Line: Small storms over the last month have grown the snow depth to 10-18” at mountain weather stations. The shallow snowpack can change a lot from day to day, but the avalanches and observations from last week are evidence that it is time to be prepared. Carefully assess the terrain and snowpack for avalanche potential, and carry the proper gear (beacon, shovel, probe). Avalanches are most likely where recent snow has drifted into thicker slabs. If you see evidence of recent wind-loading, be patient and ride lower angle or non-wind loaded slopes. If you intend to ride or cross steep slopes, watch for signs of instability such as recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks and collapsing. If obvious signs are absent, dig a quick snowpit to assess for instability.

Past 5 Days

Thu Oct 24

None
Wed Oct 30

None
Sat Nov 2

None
Wed Nov 6

None
Today

None

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 10
  • From obs: "Toured up into the Blackmore/Elephant basin today to get a sense of the snowpack ahead of the upcoming storm cycle. I poked around and dug in a few spots, trying to observe variations in snow depth and to observe where the snow has been faceting. Every pit I dug, ranging from N to SE facing, had faceting near the ground, all of which reacted in stability tests, if stubbornly. The most interesting test result was an ECTP21 in this layer of basal facets. That pit was dug in a large wind drift. I saw no propagation in any other pit or test.

    Strong wind gusts were moving large amounts of snow in the alpine, while below treeline they did not exceed moderate speeds and wind transport was non existent. Large drifts were present on lee slopes, while more exposed windward slopes had little to no snow.

    Otherwise the snowpack has behaved as one would expect. Solar aspects and exposed flats have a 2-3cm thick sun crust on the surface, and a further complex of crusts throughout the shallow snow pack. Snow depth ranged from 0 - 100 cm throughout the basin, and was generally thinner on solar aspects. Pretty bad skiing all around, not excluding the rock gardens on the skinner out." Photo: W. Hubbard

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

  • 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

  • An intense period of snowfall on October 28 dropped 6” of snow in the Hyalite Canyon area. Photo: GNFAC

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

  • A hiker on Mt. Blackmore noted 5-10 inches of snow on east through north aspects. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • A hiker on Mt. Blackmore noted 5-10 inches of snow on east through north aspects. Photo: B. VandenBos

  • 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


Bozeman Pass, Looking SE

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Gallatin

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Gallatin

Extended Forecast for

14 Miles SE Gallatin Gateway MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

    Low: 25 °F

    Partly Cloudy
    and Breezy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 33. Southwest wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

    High: 33 °F

    Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. South wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

    Low: 21 °F

    Increasing
    Clouds

  • Friday

    Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am.  Cloudy, with a high near 27. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

    High: 27 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Snow.  Low around 20. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Low: 20 °F

    Snow

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow before 11am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 23. West northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    High: 23 °F

    Chance Snow
    then Mostly
    Sunny

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. South wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.

    Low: 15 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A chance of snow, mainly after 11am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph.

    High: 27 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night: Snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

    Low: 18 °F

    Snow

The Last Word

Join us tonight at MSU SAW from 4-8 p.m. Montana State University Snow and Avalanche Workshop

11 / 6 / 24  <<  
 
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