Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Increasing winds will raise the avalanche hazard on steep wind-affected slopes at middle and upper elevations today. Watch for active wind loading, drifting, and shooting cracks. Steep upper elevation sheltered slopes hold up to a foot of loose snow and could entrain long-running sluff. Evaluate exposed terrain carefully and consider the consequences of getting knocked off your feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs currently exist in isolated pockets of exposed terrain at upper elevations. Slabs up to a foot thick are reactive to human triggers and could easily knock you off your feet above consequential terrain if caught off guard. Increasing west winds throughout the day could increase the size and distribution of soft slabs. Soft slabs may develop in isolated areas above 8500 feet by the end of the day. There is plenty of snow available for transport up high. Watch for active drifting, stiff pillows, and shooting cracks around ridges, outcrops, and crossloaded features like the entrances of couloirs. This problem is easily avoidable in more sheltered terrain.

    Steep sheltered areas at middle and upper elevations hold large amounts of loose dry snow. You might entrain more snow than expected and sluff management could be critical above consequential terrain where this problem could easily push you over and carry you downhill. Long-running sluff is likely where new snow sits on slick crusts.

     

    (3/25/2024)

    Recent snow instability on southerly aspects around 10,000' above a melt freeze crust buried 3/21. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Hard slabs 3-5 feet thick overlay weak snow that formed earlier in the season. Shallow, rocky, and unsupported terrain on the north half of the compass is where this problem has been most active. It is currently unlikely that a human would trigger one of these slabs. Larger triggers, like cornice fall or surface snow avalanches (i.e., wind slabs or wet avalanches), can impact weak layers buried deeply in the snowpack and initiate a much larger avalanche. Furthermore, an extreme loading event or a prolonged period above freezing has the potential to impact these layers. 

    (3/5/2024)

    A very large persistent slab avalanche failed during the early March storm cycle. This terrain characterizes where this problem is most active: very steep, unsupported slopes near cliffs.

    Photo: Dan Hayes

Avalanche Discussion

Change happens fast this time of year. Cooler temps, increasing winds and clouds throughout the day should keep wet avalanche problems off the radar. However, when the sun pops out this time of year, it takes very little time to moisten snow on steep southerly slopes. If this happens, watch for changing conditions, slushy snow and rollerballs. As you exit the mountains, expect to find drastically different snow conditions across elevation bands and anticipate how the avalanche problem changes as you descend. The alpine is currently skiing very differently than the slopes below. The consequence of getting pushed over by large amounts of entrained loose dry above a cliff could change very quickly to an orthopedic concern of hitting a crust or navigating several inches of isothermal mush. Anticipate and adjust accordingly.

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