Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Triggering a large avalanche up to 18 inches deep is possible in steep terrain. The avalanche danger is greatest on very steep wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations where avalanches could break deeper. Evaluate steep terrain carefully around cliffs and couloirs. Small natural loose snow avalanches will occur on southeast through southwest slopes as sunshine warms snow surfaces. Minimize time spent underneath steep sunny faces.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It remains possible to trigger a large windslab 1-2 feet deep above 8500 feet in very steep wind-loaded terrain. While the current problem is most likely found in slabs up to one foot deep, lingering wind slabs from the last two days could break deeper. Recent snow could hide evidence of these slabs as well as decrease visible warning signs like shooting cracks. Carefully evaluate the recent snow for evidence of firm wind slabs underneath recent snow. Giving very steep and wind-loaded features like cliffs and couloir entrances a wide margin is the best way to manage this problem today.

    In very steep, northerly terrain above 8500 feet, expect some loose snow sluffing in the top 12 inches of snow.

    18" wind slab from yesterday at 9000' on a NE aspect on Teton Pass. While the wind slab problem mostly exists in upper elevations, keep an eye out for slabs in exposed areas in upper, middle-elevtions.

    Thanks for submitting these public observations!

  • Loose Wet

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

    Today will be the first day of strong sunshine since snow began on the 13th. In the last 6 days, the Tetons have received over 50 inches of snow and 5 inches of water. There will likely be a significant wet loose avalanche cycle beginning on very steep southeast aspects and continuing to steep south and southwest aspects throughout the day. Most of these avalanches will be small, but it’s possible that some could entrain enough snow to bury you. If you start to see rollerballs and pinwheels originating from steep rocky terrain, move to shadier slopes and minimize time spent underneath steep sunny slopes. The transition to wet loose avalanche activity could happen very quickly.

    While less likely, recent storm interfaces - particularly at upper elevations in wind-loaded areas -  could be impacted by small, wet loose avalanches and behave more like soft slab avalanches. I hesitate to say this will happen with any sort of certainty due to temperatures that are forecasted to remain cool. However, regardless of cool temperatures, the sun is strong this time of year and will increase the sensitivity of the upper snowpack. Keep this overlapping problem in mind as you exit the mountains during peak sunshine hours.

    Even with temps remaining cool today, the intense March sun will most likely cause wet, loose avalanching specific to sunny aspects (SW-S-SE).

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Regions covered