Trip Planning for Southern Gallatin

as of 5:00 am
May 20″ |
May 1 0″ | 1-6 N
Apr 30 2″ | 15-25 NW
9460′     07/02 at 16:00
64.2℉
SW - 11mph
Gusts 25 mph
9000′     07/02 at 15:00
65℉
Depth
Bottom Line: Spring weather can be highly variable and create a mix of avalanche problems to watch out for. Snow conditions and snow stability can change drastically from day to day or hour to hour. Anticipate rapid change and plan accordingly. Plenty of snowfall over the winter with more spring snow to come makes avalanches possible into summer.

Past 5 Days

Mon Apr 21

None
Fri Apr 25

None
Mon Apr 28

None
Fri May 2

None
Mon May 5

None

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 26
  • This wet loose avalanche is a great example of where they often occur. Rocks absorb extra heat from the sun and can quickly melt and destabilize the snow. Either move under areas like this early in the morning (as we did), or if you have to travel under them later in the day, move quickly.

  • I noticed a couple of wet slides that came off Electric and it’s sun-ridge today. Photo: Anonymous

  • Understanding Avalanche Safety Preparedness – 5-Minute Survey for Motorized Users

    We need your input! 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 being a part of this important effort!

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • A rider triggered a huge avalanche in the uppermost reaches of Targhee creek on a north facing slope at 9200'

  • Natural avalanche spotted from the air on Red Mountain, just west of Ernest Miller Ridge

  • We experienced a remarkable number of thunderous collapses throughout the day (I lost count), one of which triggered an avalanche into Specimen Creek while we were in the flats. Photo: R Parsons

     

  • From obs on 12/29: "On our way out near the cabin I cut a line close to a creek to see if I could trigger something."

  • From obs on 12/29: "On our way out near the cabin I cut a line close to a creek to see if I could trigger something."

  • Plumes of drifting snow in the Bridger Range as strong winds blasted the mountains. Photo: GNFAC

  • From IG: On 12/15 "Storm slab broke about 200’ above us as skinning up the hallway coming from the north side on the throne." Photo: Anonymous

  • Gusty winds transporting snow in Taylor Fork on Saturday. Triggered a 4-5 inch deep wind slab that propagated about 50 ft at the top of a north east facing slope at 9,500 ft.

    Photo: JP

  • WE facing snow at 8100 ft Cabin Ck

  • SE facing snow Cabin Creek

  • N facing snow Cabin Creek, 9000 ft

  • Big Sky Ski Patrol triggered this avalanche during mitigation work in The Wave on 11/26/24... "2-3' deep on an ice crust just above the ground with a 2# shot in the Upper rodeo. Volume was limited as most of the snow was loaded just underneath the cornice, but still produced a sizeable size 2... Other paths in the Lenin region ran meaty wind slabs, full track with no significant step downs." Photo: BSSP

  • Cracking on old, faceted, October snow hundreds of feet long. North facing near treeline. Photo: BSSP

  • Intentional, human-triggered avalanche by a ski patrol breaking at the ground on a north facing slope near treeline. Photo: BSSP

  • 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

  • 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

Videos- Southern Gallatin

WebCams


Electric Peak

Roosevelt Arch

Snowpit Profiles- Southern Gallatin

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Southern Gallatin

Weather Forecast Southern Gallatin

Extended Forecast for

17 Miles SE Big Sky MT

  • This Afternoon

    This Afternoon: Isolated showers and thunderstorms.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South southwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 20%.

    High: 76 °F

    Isolated
    T-storms

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 52 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.  Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

    High: 71 °F

    Partly Sunny
    then
    Scattered
    T-storms

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight.  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light and variable  after midnight.  Chance of precipitation is 50%.

    Low: 48 °F

    Scattered
    T-storms then
    Mostly Cloudy

  • Independence Day

    Independence Day: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon.  High near 67. Light south wind becoming southwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 90%.

    High: 67 °F

    Chance
    Showers then
    T-storms

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. South southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%.

    Low: 45 °F

    Showers
    Likely then
    Slight Chance
    Showers

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. West southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 60%.

    High: 63 °F

    Chance
    Showers then
    Showers
    Likely

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight.  Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

    Low: 43 °F

    Slight Chance
    T-storms then
    Mostly Clear

  • Sunday

    Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon.  Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

    High: 69 °F

    Sunny then
    Slight Chance
    T-storms

The Last Word

We ended our 35th winter in operation after 141 forecasts and ZERO avalanche fatalities, the second winter in a row with no avalanche deaths. The last time this happened was 1988 and 1989. It’s been an incredible season. 

Thank you for all your support! Our success is directly related to support from our community and the Forest Service. Thanks to the readers of the forecast, everyone that sent in observations, took an avalanche class, or donated money, time or gear.  Have a safe spring and summer!

05 / 2 / 25  <<  
 
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