MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 Good Morning and Merry Christmas Eve. This is Doug Chabot with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Advisory issued on Monday, December 24th, at 7:30 a.m. Sweet Pea Landscaping, in cooperation with the Friends of the Avalanche Center, sponsor todays advisory. This advisory does not apply to operating ski areas. MOUNTAIN WEATHER In the last 24 hours 1 to 2 inches of snow fell in the southern mountains. Winds continued to blow 15-30 mph from the west and temperatures climbed through the night reaching the high 20s. An energetic cold front will hit us this morning guaranteeing a white Christmas. Im expecting 6-8 inches of snow in the mountains by tomorrow morning with most of it falling by later this afternoon. Westerly winds will increase during the day to 30 mph before tapering tonight. Temperatures will drop as the front passes and should dip into the low teens this evening. Overall, Im expecting a blustery day, but calmer and smoother flying conditions tonight for Santa. SNOWPACK AND AVALANCHE DISCUSSION The southern Gallatin and southern Madison Ranges, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, the mountains around Cooke City, and the Washburn Range: The southern mountains got two more inches of snow last night with westerly winds continuing to load slopes. Two days ago numerous large avalanches were seen in the Lionhead area of West Yellowstone while Scott, along with other parties, experienced collapsing of the snow in the Bacon Rind area of the southern Madison Range. We are finding that faceted, weaker snow at the ground and also mid-pack are responsible for this activity. Slopes that avalanched during the early December cycle are more stable. I skied a few of these runs last week, however, theyre not that obvious to find. For those inclined to dig, problematic slopes are shearing clean during our stability tests. Additionally, we are seeing that wind- loading is further increasing the avalanche danger. The snowpack in the southern mountains is still unstable from the 2 feet of snow that fell late last week. For today, wind-loaded terrain has a HIGH avalanche danger if its steeper than 35 degrees and a CONSIDERABLE danger on less steep slopes. For slopes that are protected from the wind the avalanche danger is still rated CONSIDERABLE if they are steeper than 35 degrees and MODERATE on less steep. In essence, avoid ALL wind-loaded slopes as well as any steep terrain today. Since the winds are still blowing and more snowfall is expected the avalanche danger could rise even further. The northern Gallatin and northern Madison Range: Scott went into Beehive/Bear Basin area of the northern Madison Range yesterday. He found small slides from cornice drops as well as weak, faceted snow in his pits which was the likely culprit in a skier triggered slide on Saturday. Across the valley the Big Sky Ski Patrol got 2-3 foot deep wind slabs to release with explosives. The wind has been blowing consistently out of the west to southwest for 4 days and thick, hard, wind slabs can be found at many elevationsnot just at the ridgetop level. For today, on wind-loaded terrain, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE if its steeper than 35 degrees and MODERATE on less steep. For slopes lucky enough to be spared the wind, the avalanche danger is MODERATE if its steeper than 35 degrees and LOW everywhere else. The Bridger Range: The Bridger Range, known for its wind, is not to be out done by the other ranges. Ridgetop speeds are gusting into the 50s and the winds are blowing at all elevations loading leeward slopes. Backcountry avalanche activity was reported on Saturdaya skier triggered a slide near Saddle Peak and folks saw natural avalanches on wind-loaded terrain in Frazier Basin. Although almost 2 days old, the conditions that created these instabilities, namely wind- loading, has not subsided. Consequently, neither has the avalanche danger. For today, on wind-loaded terrain, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE if its steeper than 35 degrees and MODERATE on less steep. Slopes without recent wind- loading will have a LOW avalanche danger. The likelihood of triggering a slide could increase today with the forecasted wind and snow, so stay sharp and have a Merry Christmas Eve.