Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The combination of reactive wind and storm slabs above a weak old snow interface will create dangerous avalanche conditions. Terrain exposed to the wind will be the most reactive and triggering an avalanche remotely from gentler slopes above, below, or beside you will be possible in the middle and upper elevations. Careful route finding will be a necessity today to avoid steep slopes and reduce exposure around avalanche start zones. 

Avalanches have been triggered remotely the last two days including: Wimpys, KB Ridge, Eddington Canyon. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Consistent W/SW wind mixed with a significant amount of new snow has created widespread soft wind slabs in the upper elevations and specific to exposed terrain in the middle elevations. Fresh wind slabs depths will range 2-3 feet. The nature of these sustained winds above 20 mph has altered the new snow drastically, especially in upper elevations, resulting in upside down and sensitive slabs. These slabs will be reactive today with plenty of snow available to continually transport and increase slab depths. All this new snow sits on a variety of old interfaces composed of crusts and facets buried March 20th. Triggering a large avalanche with wide propagation on this interface will be easiest in wind loaded terrain, with remote triggering possible. 

    Look for obvious signs of instability such as cracking, stiffened surfaces and drifts. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    A large amount of new snow has fallen during this cycle since March 20th. Storm slab depths will range 1-2 feet deep across all aspects in the middle and upper elevations, with up to 3 feet possible near Grand Targhee. Most storm slabs observed yesterday harbored upside down characteristics. These slabs lie on an old, weak interface and will make remote triggering of avalanches possible even as snowfall tapers off today. 

    (3/25/2023)

    D2 avalanche on Wimpys on an E/NE aspect around 9,000' involving new storm from the multi-day storm on the old/new interface buried Monday, 3/20. 

    Photo: Antonioli

Avalanche Discussion

March Madness

Just when we thought winter was winding down… BOOOM another serious storm cycle hits! Over the last 5 days the Tetons have received around 3 feet of new snow with localized higher amounts on the west side near Targhee. Yesterday increased winds amplified reactivity causing numerous D1-D2 avalanches  in the middle and upper elevations. Our main concern is the new snow instability, which as you’ve read sits on a weak interface. Areas with the highest reactivity are aspects that contain small near surface facets above a melt freeze crust. This interface could be trending towards a persistent slab problem due to the characteristics of avalanches remotely triggered the last two days. Continual rapid loading makes this assessment difficult, so we’ll monitor this trend as the storm snow stabilizes.

With remote triggered avalanches possible, careful route finding will be the key ingredient to satisfying your powder fever. Assess the slope angles you plan to travel on and stay off steep slopes, especially above 35°. Identifying start zones and open slopes where avalanches occurrences are common will help aid your terrain choice. Don’t let powder fever cloud your judgment. This winter has been a long season, so avoid becoming lulled into complacency.

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