Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

GNFAC: Watching for red flags

in Opinion, Regional, Sports
GNFAC: Watching for red flags
Writer and forecaster Ian Hoyer in front of a slide in Taylor Fork. PHOTO COURTESY OF GNFAC
EBS Staffby EBS Staff
March 14, 2024

By Ian Hoyer EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Reading the daily avalanche forecast is the best way to prepare yourself for the snow conditions you’ll encounter when you head into the mountains. In southwest Montana you’ll find the forecast at mtavalanche.com. Avalanche.org is the place to find the local forecast if you’re traveling elsewhere. Avalanche forecasters work hard to collect weather and snowpack information and distill it into an easy-to-read forecast that will identify the day’s potential avalanche hazards. Take advantage of that resource and set yourself up for success.

Once you’re out there, you also need to stay alert and watch for warning signs that the snow is ready to avalanche. Make a plan before you head out, but be ready to back off if needed. Listen to what the mountains are telling you. Watching for “Red Flags” is one tool that can help. 

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad

Recent avalanches

Seeing avalanches that broke within the past 48 hours is the clearest sign that triggering another slide is possible. If avalanches are breaking on their own, or you see someone trigger an avalanche, the odds point towards more of the same. If you see recent avalanches, avoid steep slopes for the day.

Collapsing or cracking 

If you feel the snowpack collapse under you, hear a “whumpfing” sound, or see cracks shooting out far into front of you—this is a sign that the snowpack is very unstable. You almost just made an avalanche, but weren’t on a steep enough slope for it to slide downhill. If you see these signs of instability, stay off slopes steeper than 30 degrees. If you don’t, you’re likely going to trigger a slide. 

Avalanche cracks in snowpack around Taylor Fork. PHOTO COURTESY OF GNFAC

Heavy snowfall

New snow adds weight to the snowpack. The more weight that’s added and the faster it’s added, the more likely the snowpack will reach its breaking point. Be alert whenever it snows, but a foot of new snow in the past 24 hours definitely means you are likely going to trigger slides.

Windblown snow

Wind drifting can load a slope really quickly often depositing snow three to five times faster than snow falling from the sky. Blowing snow and fresh drifts are indications of wind loading and increased avalanche concerns on wind loaded slopes.

Rapid melting

Water in the snowpack, whether from melting on sunny days or rain, makes for unstable conditions. Not all warmups cause avalanches, but be very suspicious anytime the snowpack is wet. If you’re sinking in past your ankles in wet snow, it’s time to avoid steep slopes or find a shadier slope.

Remember that not seeing these “red flag” signs of instability doesn’t mean the snowpack is safe. But if you watch for these signs and back off if you see them, you’ll avoid many of the most clearly unstable situations.

Stay safe and enjoy springtime in the mountains!

Ian Hoyer is an avalanche forecaster for the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes

Upcoming Events

May 13
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Event Series

American Legion Bingo

May 15
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Event Series

Flag Raising at Soldiers Chapel

May 16
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at Waypoint

May 17
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Event Series

A Spiritual Awakening: Verdi, Simon, Ives

May 18
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Event Series

A Spiritual Awakening: Verdi, Simon, Ives

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Hospitality workers invited to learn about mental health, outreach for clients at Bozeman event 
Regional

Hospitality workers invited to learn about mental health, outreach for clients at Bozeman event 

May 13, 2025
‘It’s been 50 years’: Bill to update public transit law awaits governor’s signature
Regional

‘It’s been 50 years’: Bill to update public transit law awaits governor’s signature

May 13, 2025
Eyes on 2026 as Big Horns wrap third baseball season 
Featured

Eyes on 2026 as Big Horns wrap third baseball season 

May 12, 2025
County Commission to discuss next steps on zoning reform
Regional

County Commission to discuss next steps on zoning reform

May 12, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Big Sky PBR
  • Hey Bear
  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Plan Yellowstone

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube