Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will begin at LOW and rise to MODERATE as the day warms and mostly sunny conditions destabilize the snow surface. Wet snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes that face the sun. In addition, humans can trigger a wind slab up to a foot deep in isolated pockets of very steep terrain at the upper elevations. Avalanches today have the potential to knock you off your feet or drag you into a terrain trap. Carefully evaluate very steep wind loaded terrain and be prepared to move to shaded slopes if you are sinking into wet snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Mostly sunny conditions and mild temperatures may destabilize the snow surface as the day warms making loose snow avalanches possible on very steep south facing slopes by the afternoon. The majority of wet snow avalanches will be small, but could entrain enough snow to knock you off your feet or drag you into a terrain trap. Increasing cloud cover and breezy conditions may limit the potential for wet avalanche activity today, yet the possibility remains this afternoon if conditions remain mostly sunny. Monitor the snow surface conditions for wet snow as you travel today. Sinking deeply into wet unconsolidated snow or observing natural loose snow avalanches are signs that the snowpack is becoming unstable and it is time to move away from sunny slopes.

    Cornices are large and could fail during the heat of the day. Give these features a wide margin today.

    A recent skier triggered wet loose avalanche in the Snake River Canyon. Avalanches like this may become possible later today on very steep, south facing slopes if conditions remain sunny.

    (3/8/2025) Photo: Ben Martin

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slabs up to a foot deep exist in isolated terrain features at the upper elevations. Winds have been blowing from all directions over the past several days making slab development possible on a variety of aspects. Southerly winds are increasing this morning and may redistribute any loose snow to form shallow new slabs along ridgelines or crossload gullies. The overall likelihood of triggering a wind slab has decreased since the storm on March 6th, but the potential for triggering remains in very steep starting zones above 9,000’. Slabs will generally be small, but could knock you off your feet in consequential terrain. Avoid very steep slopes with signs of wind loading such as dense drifts or hollow sounding snow.

    Look for this type of wind slab on very steep convexities, around cliffs, and crossloaded terrain features like couloirs. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The Snake received a solid refreeze at all elevations last night adding strength to the snowpack in areas where the surface became wet yesterday afternoon. There is some uncertainty with the weather forecast today. Forecasts are calling for 30-50% cloud cover and breezy conditions today. If conditions become mostly cloudy, then wet snow avalanches will be unlikely. Fortunately, assessing the potential for wet snow hazard is easy in the field. There is little avalanche hazard if hard crusts exist on the surface. If crusts break down and the surface becomes wet and unconsolidated, then there is some potential for wet avalanches. Today will require assessment of wet snow hazard in the field. Also, wind speeds are increasing this morning. Small wind slabs could be lurking in some very steep upper elevation terrain. Be on the lookout for signs of loading to avoid getting caught off guard today.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

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