Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Heightened avalanche conditions exist. New snow and wind have formed soft slabs up to a foot deep above 9,000 feet. You will likely trigger avalanches on steep wind drifted slopes where unstable snow will be sensitive to the weight of a rider. Drifting snow and shooting cracks are indicators of unstable snow. Make conservative decisions around steep slopes and terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 7 inches of snow fell in the last 24 hrs with strong westerly winds. 109 mph gusts were recorded at the Surprise Pinnacle yesterday morning. Soft slabs up to a foot deep have formed on leeward aspects at upper elevations. Moderate westerly winds have slowed overnight and will continue to taper throughout the day, but there is plenty of new snow to blow around if winds remain elevated. Watch for slab formation below ridgelines, around cliffs, and in steep gullies. If you find obvious clues like recent avalanches, actively blowing snow, and thick pillows, move to lower angle slopes.

    Above 8,000 feet where snow totals are 6+ inches, evaluate very steep slopes that are protected from the wind and on the north half of the compass. New snow sitting on recently buried faceted surfaces could be sensitive. I expect limited storm slab activity, but in this specific terrain, storm slabs could behave unexpectedly, breaking farther and wider than expected. Use caution around terrain traps, and if you see shooting cracks, move to lower-angle terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Keep it simple today by evaluating any steep slope that has wind affected snow or more than 5 or 6 inches of accumulated snow. I expect most avalanches to be on the smaller side, but it’s not out of the question that in very steep terrain with lots of wind loading, avalanche size could creep up, particularly if it entrains older faceted snow. Getting knocked off your feet, however, is a very real possibility today. Keep that in mind above gullies, cliffs, and terrain traps. New soft slabs will be sitting on a variety of old surfaces, including crusts on southerly slopes, faceted weak now on shady protected slopes, and windboard, and there is some uncertainty as to how reactive this new snow will be. Easy hand shears were observed to be planar yesterday around the new/old snow interface in the Tetons. Buried faceted snow will increase triggering sensitivity and likelihood in new snow. 

Shifting out of a low avalanche hazard mindset from the last month into assessment mode might take some effort. Dig around and see how new snow is bonding and monitor snow totals. Continue to travel one at a time, keep an eye on your partners, and enjoy the new snow.

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