GNFAC Avalanche Forecast for Sun Mar 30, 2025
This is Alex Mariethal with the avalanche forecast on Sunday, March 30th, at 7:00 a.m., sponsored by Gallatin Valley Snowmobile Association, BWAGs and Beartooth Powder Guides. This forecast does not apply to operating ski areas.
Snow totals since yesterday morning are:
- 11” (0.9” snow water equivalent (SWE)) in Hyalite.
- 3-7” (0.3-0.6” SWE) in Big Sky, Cooke City and the Bridger Range.
- 0-1” (0.1” SWE) near West Yellowstone and Island Park.
Temperatures are teens to 20s F. Wind out of the south and east increased overnight to 10-25 mph with gusts of 25-35 mph, and this morning wind has lessened to 5-15 mph out of the southeast and southwest.
Today temperatures will reach high 20s and low 30s F. Wind will be calm to light out of the east, southeast and southwest. Snow showers through tonight should drop 2-3” in most areas with 4-7” possible near Cooke City, Hyalite and Big Sky.
Near Bozeman, Big Sky and Cooke City, where more new snow has fallen, avalanches involving the new snow are possible and could slide as wind slab avalanches or loose snow avalanches. Wind has been fairly minimal, but slopes where the new snow has been drifted or stiffened by the wind are more likely to avalanche.
If you plan to travel on steep slopes, assess the stability of the new snow and monitor how it changes throughout the day. Push on small test slopes with clean runout zones to see how the snow reacts. As you travel watch for cracking across the surface as a sign you could trigger slab avalanches, and look for snow being drifted as a sign slabs are growing and possibly becoming more reactive.
Warm temperatures and any sun will make the new snow moist and more cohesive and could cause loose snow or storm slab avalanches to break larger and be easier to trigger. Have a plan to find lower angle terrain or slopes with colder snow if you feel the snow get heavy or moist.
Avalanche danger is MODERATE near Bozeman, Big Sky and Cooke City.
Aside from instability involving the new snow, the snowpack is generally stable. Near Island Park and West Yellowstone, where less new snow has fallen, large avalanches are unlikely. Small wind slab or wet loose avalanches in isolated areas are something to keep in mind. These would only be an issue in extreme terrain where being knocked over would have big consequences, like above cliffs or on long, firm steep slopes.
The avalanche danger is LOW near West Yellowstone and Island Park.
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. The survey is confidential and anonymous.
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