Avalanche Information

Yet another round of big snow has fallen on southwest Montana, hitting the southern mountains especially hard with another foot of snow. An Avalanche Warning has been issued again by the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, as the danger of triggering a deadly avalanche is high.

Tuesday into Wednesday morning could bring 40 MPH winds and much more snow for the southern mountains of Madison and Gallatin counties. The West Yellowstone area is an area of concern, with the high peaks of that area to get up to a foot of fresh snow.

High Wind Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are covering much of Montana, some lasting well into Saturday. Some higher elevations might get TWO FEET of fresh snow, along with dangerously high winds. Travel is going to be an issue at times.

Skiing is an expensive sport and Montana has some of the most expensive tickets and passes in America. However, there is a Montana ski area that has amazing terrain and is offering the best bargain in skiing we've ever seen. Cheap turns are a rare thing, but they can be found.

Until about noon on Wednesday, very gusty winds will affect travel on the I-90 corridor between Livingston and Big Timber. Blowing and drifting snow is expected, and high profile vehicles may get blown around a bit.

Lots of fresh snow with more to come today, combined with an unstable snowpack AND heavy winds is yet again creating very dangerous conditions in the backcountry of southwest Montana. Details are here of a new Avalanche Warning.

A very large portion of Montana is under a High Wind Warning or Winter Storm Warning through Monday afternoon. Seriously gusty winds of up to 70 MPH are expected across most of southwest, central, western and northern Montana. Power outages are very possible and damage to trees is expected.

We all know skiing has become a very expensive sport. Lift ticket prices have increased dramatically across the country, and ski hills are more crowded than ever. However, Montana still has a couple of excellent ski hills who have landed on a 'Most Affordable in the U.S.' list.

Skiing and riding at resorts is fine, but Tuesday is NOT the day to explore the new snow in the backcountry near Bozeman and other areas of southwest Montana. Avalanche danger is extremely high, and the risk of triggering a huge slide is very real.

The mountains of western Montana might score 8 to 10 inches of fresh snow by Sunday afternoon. Warnings and advisories have been issued for just about every western county, but some higher elevations might receive nearly a foot of snow.

Montana's lack of snowfall and our dangerously low snowpack levels are becoming the stuff of fire season nightmares. As the winter weeks go by, our 'percentages of normal' keep ticking lower - and that's not good news for this summer.

Just because it's been so unbearably cold, doesn't mean that Montana's in a much better place for winter snowpack. Much needed snow is headed for some mountain ranges in southwest Montana.