Trip Planning for Lionhead Range

View Weather and Avalanche Log
24 Hour Snowfall and Wind
as of 5:00 am
Today10″ | 10-65 W
Nov 27 2″ | 20-30 SW
Nov 26 0″ | 25-30 SW
Lionhead Wind
9420′     11/28 at 20:00
2.2℉
E - 5mph
Gusts Unknown mph
Madison Plateau SNOTEL
7750′     11/28 at 20:00
0℉
32″ Depth
Bottom Line: Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains around West Yellowstone and Cooke City and in the Gallatin and Southern Madison Ranges where 9-13” of snow fell in the last 48 hours. Strong winds gusting to 65 mph created unstable drifts at many elevations and aspects. Human-triggered avalanches breaking up to two feet deep are likely on wind-loaded slopes. Larger avalanches breaking deeper into the snowpack are possible. Careful route-finding that avoids steep, wind-loaded slopes, a snowpack assessment focused on identifying instabilities in new and wind-drifted snow and conservative decision-making are essential.
Primary Problem: Wind-Drifted Snow

Past 5 Days

Thu Nov 24

Moderate
Fri Nov 25

Moderate
Sat Nov 26

Moderate
Sun Nov 27

Moderate
Today

Considerable

Relevant Avalanche Activity

Relevant Photos

Displaying 1 - 7
  • Wind slabs cracking on Reas Peak, Island Park

    A snowmobiler noted cracking of the snow surface on the south face of Reas Peak out of Island Park. The wind crust was 3-4" thick and had facets underneath which aided the propagation. Photo: Anonymous

  • Explosive triggered avalanches at Big Sky 2

    Big Sky ski patrol triggered these slides with explosives on 11/22 during routine avalanche mitigation work. The avalanches were hard slabs that averaged 12" deep and broke on a weak layer above a crust on top of snow that fell in October. Photo: BSSP

  • Explosive triggered avalanches at Big Sky

    Big Sky ski patrol triggered these slides with explosives on 11/22 during routine avalanche mitigation work. The avalanches were hard slabs that averaged 12" deep and broke on a weak layer above a crust on top of snow that fell in October. Photo: BSSP

  • Avalanche Crown in Tepee Basin 2

    Observer reported "A number of Avalanche Crowns on an east aspect at 9500 ft." in Tepee Basin.

  • Avalanche Crown in Tepee Basin 1

    An observer reported "A number of Avalanche Crowns on an east aspect at 9500 ft." in Tepee Basin

  • Cracking in a Drift

    Evidence of wind-loading creating the conditions for avalanches in the Bridger Range. Cracking is an indicator of instability. The observer noted this was "Nothing consequential," but this shows that unstable drifts are forming. They will be more consequential where there is more snow and as the wind creates larger drifts. Photo: E Smith

  • New Snow Depth Sensor at Sawtelle Peak

    We completed the setup of a SNOdar snow depth sensor on Sawtelle Peak in the Centennials on Wednesday 10/19. Forecaster Ian Hoyer for scale.

    Located at 8800 feet elevation. The sensor will record total snow depth and 24 hr snowfall. Data will be displayed on our website soon at: http://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/stations/sawtelle-snow.

Videos- Lionhead Range

WebCams


Raynolds Pass

Rendezvous Ski Trail, W. Yellowstone

Snowpit Profiles- Lionhead Range

 

Select a snowpit on the map to view the profile image

Weather Stations- Lionhead Range

Big Sky

Weather Forecast Lionhead Range

Full Forecast, NOAA website
Extended Forecast for

10 Miles WNW West Yellowstone MT

  • Tonight

    Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around -5. Wind chill values as low as -20. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow
    then Partly
    Cloudy

    Low: -5 °F

  • Tuesday

    Tuesday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 4. Wind chill values as low as -20. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

    Cold

    High: 4 °F

  • Tuesday
    Night

    Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 4 by 4am. Wind chill values as low as -20. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    Low: 0 °F⇑

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -15. South wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    High: 17 °F

  • Wednesday
    Night

    Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. South southwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

    Chance Snow

    Low: 15 °F

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 21. South southwest wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

    Snow Likely

    High: 21 °F

  • Thursday
    Night

    Thursday Night: Snow. Low around 13. South southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

    Snow

    Low: 13 °F

  • Friday

    Friday: Snow likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 16. Southwest wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

    Snow Likely

    High: 16 °F

  • Friday
    Night

    Friday Night: A slight chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5.

    Slight Chance
    Snow then
    Mostly Cloudy

    Low: 5 °F

The Last Word

Your field observations are hugely helpful as we build a picture of snowpack stability. Let us know if it was a beautiful day or snowy, deep powder, avalanches seen or just boring riding. Submit your observations on our new page or read them all here.

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