Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry.  Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slab avalanches in steep terrain above 8000 feet on a variety of aspects. Avoid areas with obvious signs of wind loading however any steep terrain is suspect and requires snowpack evaluation. Shooting cracks will be a strong warning sign that an area or slope is unstable. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Approximately 2-3  feet of heavy snow  has fallen since Tuesday. This snowfall was accompanied by very strong southwest to northwest winds with gusts of 60-90 mph each day and lies upon hard and slick crusts on all aspects. Yesterday natural and human triggered slides were reported including an avalanche on Teton Pass that impacted traffic.  Backcountry travellers can easily trigger hard or soft slab avalanches today that could fail on the crusts or on density breaks within the recent snow with depths to 3 feet. 

    The old weak snow buried in early November is not expected to be active at this time and will continue to be monitored. 

    Note the unusual loading pattern on the slope in the foreground. This photo was taken last week after a very strong wind event.

Avalanche Discussion

Colder temperatures and a break from precipitation will have made the newly formed wind slabs that lie throughout the backcountry less sensitive than they were during yesterday's rapid loading. Although less sensitive, they will still be susceptible to failure, particularly in and around cliff areas as these areas are generally steeper and also recieved extensive loading.  Activity at and near the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort yesterday occurred on a density break a few inches above the hard rain crusts. Avalanches at low elevations remain unlikely due to low snow depths. The rain and rime crust that formed on December 10th and was buried on the 16th  is a problem layer that is widespread throughout all elevations and aspects.  This layer demands respect and will be followed through future storms. 

Regions covered