19-20

<p>A couple inches of new snow combined with moderate winds means you’ll want to look out for wind drifts today, particularly on higher elevation slopes near ridgelines. You can trigger an avalanche in dry snow this morning or as the temperature rises and the new snow becomes wet. At low elevations the snowpack is already wet this morning. With above freezing temperatures each day, the snowpack will loose strength as the snow surface melts. The strong late April sun will accelerate the melting once it pops out.</p>

<p>Wet snow avalanches are the primary concern through the weekend. Widespread small wet loose avalanches were seen across the Bridger Range and around Big Sky this week with some slides breaking larger as well (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wet-loose-frazier">photo</a></str…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wet-snow-bear-basin">photo</a></s…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/20/wet-slide-bridger">photo</a></str…;). Similar slides will be easily triggered as the new snow gets wet for the first time.</p>

<p>Destructive wet slabs are also a possibility as meltwater drains deeper into the snowpack, particularly if we end up seeing more than a sprinkling of rain at upper elevations.</p>

<p>Wet snow can’t be trusted. If you’re sinking deeper than your ankles into unconsolidated slush, avoid steep slopes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/sites/default/files/2020-04/GNFAC%2019-20%2… season’s snowpack summary</strong></a><strong> </strong>for a review of the poor snowpack structure that could still produce big wet slabs.</p>

<p>Please continue to send us your observations. You can fill out an observation form, email us (mtavalanche@gmail.com), leave a VM at 406-587-6984, or Instagram (#gnfacobs). We greatly appreciate your support.</p>