The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center has issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the Bridger, Northern Gallatin and Northern Madison ranges. The center warns that the avalanche danger is rated high on all slopes and avalanche terrain and avalanche runout zones should be avoided.
Twenty to 30 inches of snow has fallen in the last few days along with a westerly wind, which has overloaded an already weak snowpack, creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. The center reports that natural and human triggered avalanches are likely.
The U.S. is on track for the deadliest avalanche season in a half a decade. The Associated Press reports at least 25 people have been killed in avalanches in the U.S. so far this year.
A forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center told CNN that this year’s avalanche season has likely been more active because of a “persistent weak layer” of snow.
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