Tetons

Generally stable avalanche conditions exist across the range. When managing springtime Low avalanche hazard, continue to assess steep slopes for slabs and warming snow, as avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible.

We will issue our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season in this zone on Friday, April 10th. We will issue General Avalanche Information Bulletins as needed through April or early May.

Today is a springtime low hazard day. Avalanches are hard to find, but not out of the question, so it is important to stay vigilant. Here are some things to look out for and pay attention to in your travels:

• Wet loose: Clear skies, mild winds, and strong April sunshine will heat up slopes that face east, south, and west. Since the snow surface has seen so many freezes and thaws, wet snow avalanches are less likely, but still possible later in the day. Pay attention to snow surfaces becoming punchy and saturated. If these conditions are present, you could initiate a small wet loose slide in very steep terrain. The best tactic to deal with wet snow problems like this is to get in and out of the mountains on the early side, before slopes take on too much heat.
• Wind slabs: In very high, northerly areas where the wind may have moved cold snow, there could be small, isolated wind slabs. Very steep, rocky, unsupported areas are most suspect. Assess the snow for slabs if entering committing terrain.
• Cornices: Multiple strong, westerly wind events formed cornices along ridgelines in many areas across the range. At some point, cornices either melt into the slope or depart their winter perches and come tumbling down. The latter is not something you want to be caught under. Cornices are most likely to fail during the heat of the day, and best practice is to avoid spending time under or especially on them.

We have removed the lower elevations from the forecast due to insufficient snow coverage below 7,500’. As five-scale avalanche forecasts wind down this week, we will continue to remain operational by providing General Avalanche Information Bulletins twice a week through spring depending on conditions and weather. We will also update the 24 Hour Data Summary (Big Sheet) until June 1st.