Friday, November 16th, 2007

 This is Scott Schmidt from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche
 Center with an early season Avalanche Information Bulletin issued
 Friday, November 16th. This information will be updated Monday,
 November 19th.


 MOUNTAIN WEATHER

 A small weather disturbance moved through the area this morning
 depositing 1 2 inches of snow at elevations above 9000 feet. At lower
 elevations this precipitation fell in the form of rain. Winds have
 been 15 30 mph from the west and mountain temperatures are near
 freezing at upper elevations.


 Another band of moisture will move into our area tonight. Snowfall
 amounts will range from a trace to two inches in the northern
 mountains, with 2 4 inches possible in the mountains near West
 Yellowstone. Winds will continue to blow 15 30 from the west and
 mountain temperatures will be cool for the next several days.


 SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHES

 Our first skier triggered slide occurred on October 31st in a
 wind-loaded gully in the northern Gallatin Range near Mt Blackmore
 (
 slide was
 small and no one was caught, but it illustrates that early-season
 avalanches are always possible in areas were wind is depositing snow
 on leeward slopes and gullies. Early season climbers, skiers,
 snowboarders, and hunters should be on alert for any signs of snowpack
 instability since even a small avalanche can have disastrous
 consequences depending on where the snow carries you (i.e. through the
 rocks, over a cliff, or into a gully).