Trip Planning for Northern Madison

as of 5:00 am
Today0″ | 5-15 NW
Feb 10 1″ | 15-30 NW
Feb 9 0″ | 15-32 NW
9400′     2/11 at 14:00
-0 ℉
NW - 6 mph, Gusts 13
-6999 " New
8880′     02/11 at 14:00
-3℉
50″ Depth
Primary Problem: Wind Slab
Bottom Line: Across the forecast area, human-triggered avalanches are possible on steep, wind-loaded slopes and where persistent weak layers formed in January result in lingering instability. Avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain near ridgelines and below cornices where avalanches are most likely. Seek out terrain sheltered from the wind and with fewer terrain traps (trees, cliffs, rocks and gullies), and evaluate the snowpack for buried weak layers before committing to steep slopes.

Past 5 Days

Fri Feb 7

Considerable
Sat Feb 8

Considerable
Sun Feb 9

Considerable
Mon Feb 10

Considerable
Today

Moderate

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Recent Wind Slab Avalanches in 2nd Yellow Mule
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-N-R1-D1
Coordinates: 45.1719, -111.3800
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. 

 


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Buck Ridge
Wind Slab Avalanche near Buck Weather Station
Incident details include images
Buck Ridge
SS-AMc-R1-D1
Coordinates: 45.1628, -111.3510
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.


More Avalanche Details
Northern Madison
Cedar Mtn.
Recent avalanche activity in Cedar Basin
Incident details include images
Cedar Mtn.
SS-N-I
Coordinates: 45.2268, -111.5120
Caught: 0 ; Buried: 0

Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  


More Avalanche Details

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 40
  • Swift Current lift shut down all day Wednesday 2/5/25 by ski patrol

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • On the headwall of the Second Yellow Mule, we saw two recent wind slab avalanches. These were small (R1 D1), immediately below the ridge, and likely broke late last night or this morning. Photo: GNFAC

  • Strong winds blew all day from the SW, sustaining 30mph at ridgelines. Snow was actively transported all day by winds, and plumes were visible on far away ridgelines and summits. Photo: GNFAC

  • This slab from my ski cut was about 20” deep and 60’ wide. It’s NE facing so pretty wind blown. Photo: S Budac

  • Cracking and isolated pockets of wind slab in Beehive. 

  • Human triggered release of cornice overhang near the weather station on Buck Ridge. Recent activity next to the small release. Crown 1-2’ deep, 40’ run, 75’ across running over the tracks riding underneath in the recent wind transported slab.

  • We also spotted a small, snowmobile triggered avalanche on a steep, east facing slope in Muddy Creek.  Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Saw this cool illustration of wind deposition, scouring and unaffected snow on a ridge line near the top of Bear Creek at the far end of Buck Ridge. Photo: USFS Snow Rangers 

  • Photo: M R

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • The surface evolved throughout the day, so we must continue tracking its progression. We found surface hoar in the valley of Beehive, where inverted temperatures were the coldest, crusts with near-surface facets below, and some straight near-surface facet—recycled powder, along with thicker crust and wet snow. Photo: GNFAC

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Recent avalanches noted on the NE-E aprons on cedar mountain. SS-N-R2-3-D2-I These appeared to have possibly happened during the last storm cycle and looked to be isolated to layers within the new old snow interface. I also noted similar activity on the same aspects on the adjacent ridge during our approach.  

  • Jan 24, Buck Ridge... We dug on an E facing slope at 9,400'. Snow depth was 155cm (5 feet) and we had an ECTN12 on the surface hoar layer 10" down. Photo GNFAC

  • Large wind transport in Spanish peaks. Photo: T Blakeway

  • Surface hoar was on the snow surface today. It likely wont' survive to be buried. Sunshine on south aspects was already destroying it.

  • Snowpit and ECT result from small slope just above Beehive Creek at 8200 ft. 

  • Facets in thinner snowpack areas are larger, weaker, and could possibly cause an avalnache

  • Snowpit from the top of Tyler's slope in Beehive Basin, W facing, 9200 ft. This is representative of an area with thin snow that is weaker

  • On Tuesday, January 19, 2016, a Yellowstone Club (YC) Ski Patroller triggered an avalanche on a wind-loaded slope which released on his second turn. The slide broke 2-4 feet deep, 300 feet wide and carried him through a terrain trap of thick trees. He was partially buried 300 vertical feet below in the toe of the debris. His partners reached him within three minutes, but the trauma was fatal.

    The YCSP created a non-profit to remember their colleague and friend, Darren Johnson. And, to support ski patrollers across the country by providing scholarships for avalanche education and attendance at the National Avalanche School. 

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • The Yellowstone Club Ski Patrol noted multiple large avalanches on different bowls and aspects of Cedar Mountain at approximately 9400 feet elevation. Photo: YCSP

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • From IG 1/3: “Buck ridge today. NE aspect. Probably 100’ wide and at least 3’ deep. Looked like it was triggered by a snowmobiler earlier in the day.” Photo: P Rockwell

  • Triggered slide in Beaver Creek 1 Jan 2024

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Found a bigger pocket that had pulled out on steeper terrain in the 1st Yellow Mule no tracks around since we were the first in there. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Noticed a small 8-10” wind slab pocket on the way in, looked like storm load but could have been sled triggered from the top. Photo: Anonymous 

  • Small avalanche NE aspect near top of beaver. D1 natural trigger wind slab. Only observed avalanche from groomer trail. Photo: Z Bailey

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • It only took 20 minutes of skinning before we triggered a small avalanche in a terrain trap from a flat bench above. This slide (R3 D1) broke 150' wide, about a foot deep, and filled the creek bed below. Photo: GNFAC

  • Small slide in terrain trap. Looks to be old, likely from before the wind event that occurred mid last week. A snowmobile track leads into it with wind-drifted snow covering the track. Photo: L Welles

  •  We triggered a 12" soft wind slab on a NE facing slope at 9,5k'. Photo: J Gerardi

  • Photo: J Aid

  • Middle Basin ECT

  • Middle Basin Snowpit

WebCams


8800' Camera, Lone Peak view

Yellowstone Club, Timberline Chair

Snowpit Profiles- Northern Madison

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Forecast Northern Madison

Extended Forecast for

5 Miles NNW Big Sky MT

Cold Weather Advisory February 11, 06:00pm until February 12, 11:00amClick here for hazard details and duration Cold Weather Advisory
  • This Afternoon

    This Afternoon: Sunny and cold, with a high near -3. Wind chill values as low as -20. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

    High: -3 °F

    Cold

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -19. Wind chill values as low as -35. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

    Low: -19 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near -3. Wind chill values as low as -35. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

    High: -3 °F

    Cold

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -10. Wind chill values as low as -30. South southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

    Low: -10 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am.  Patchy blowing snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 15. South southwest wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

    High: 15 °F

    Slight Chance
    Snow and
    Patchy
    Blowing Snow

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow.  Cloudy, with a low around 12. South southwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Low: 12 °F

    Chance Snow

  • Friday

    Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am.  Cloudy, with a high near 21. West wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.  Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

    High: 21 °F

    Snow Likely

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Snow.  Cloudy, with a low around 9. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

    Low: 9 °F

    Snow

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before 11am.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 18.

    High: 18 °F

    Chance Snow

The Last Word

On Saturday, February 8th, one skier was killed and a second injured in an avalanche in Utah (more information). This was the eighth avalanche fatality of the season. Our hearts go out to the victims' friends, families, backcountry partners, and the rescuers. 

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