Trip Planning for Southern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Nov 110″ | NA
Nov 10 0″ | NA
Nov 9 0″ | NA
9460′     11/05 at 9:00
34.4℉
N - 0mph
Gusts 2 mph
9000′     11/11 at 23:00
30℉
16″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow
Bottom Line: A layered snowpack capable of producing avalanches exists across the forecast area in most mid to upper-elevation terrain. Avalanches within the new and wind-drifted snow are likely on steep slopes at the tail end of this week’s storm. Without additional loading, stability will improve throughout the week. Employ an information-gathering mindset and a healthy distrust for steep snow-covered slopes. Signs of instability, such as recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks and collapsing, are red flags and reasons to avoid avalanche terrain. Dig a quick snowpit to assess for instability when obvious signs are not present.

Past 5 Days

Fri Oct 18

None
Thu Oct 24

None
Wed Oct 30

None
Sat Nov 2

None
Wed Nov 6

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
  • From obs. "New snow visible on the west side of the Bridger Range, visible from office downtown." 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

  • Overnight

    Overnight: Snow, mainly after 4am.  Low around 22. South southwest wind 8 to 11 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 22 °F

    Snow

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Snow, mainly before 11am.  High near 26. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    High: 26 °F

    Snow then
    Chance Snow

  • Tuesday Night

    Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Wind chill values as low as -5. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

    Low: 14 °F

    Mostly Clear
    then Partly
    Cloudy and
    Breezy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 11am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as -5. Windy, with a south wind 26 to 32 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 24 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Windy

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Breezy, with a south wind 22 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Low: 22 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11am.  Partly sunny, with a high near 25. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    High: 25 °F

    Chance Snow
    and Breezy

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 18 °F

    Mostly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: A chance of snow, mainly after 11am.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. South wind around 9 mph.

    High: 27 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Friday Night

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

    Low: 18 °F

    Snow

The Last Word

Read accident reports from previous early season accidents before you venture to the snowy hills. This accident report from October 2012 in the northern Bridger Range, and this report from the tragic fatality six years ago in early October are reminders of the potential consequences of even a small avalanche.

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