Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as warm temperatures destabilize the snow surface. Wet snow avalanche activity is possible on steep, rocky slopes facing the sun. Cornices are large and may be unstable. Keep an eye on the snow surface and give yourself options and exits not threatened by warming steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Overnight, clear skies and below freezing temperatures refroze the saturated snow surface, but as temperatures climb to the upper 30s F today, wet snow avalanches become a threat. Yesterday, wet loose avalanches were reported on very steep, sunny slopes in the neighboring Teton zone. These avalanches are possible again today, with the largest of these occurring on very steep, rocky slopes directly facing the sun. Although unlikely, there is a chance to trigger heat-related slabs in isolated areas at lower elevations where the snowpack is thin. Wet slides often start as point releases in any steep terrain, including road cuts, cliff areas, and even treed slopes. Watch for early indications of a warming snow surface such as rollerballs, pinwheels, or wet surface snow. Even a small wet snow avalanche can quickly knock you off your feet and drag you downhill. Give yourself options, including low-angled routes and exits not threatened by warming steep slopes above. If you find wet avalanche activity, or are sinking into wet slushy snow, seek lower-angled, shaded terrain. 

    Additional Discussion:  As temperatures warm, cornices will weaken, and could release naturally. Limit your time under these features, and remember - when approaching ridgelines - cornices can break farther back than anticipated. 

     

    An example of a wet loose avalanche from the neighboring Teton zone. 

Avalanche Discussion

In lower elevations (>7,000') of the Snake River Range, the snowpack is thin with a poor snowpack structure on E, SE, S, and SW slopes. Recently, a forecaster traveling at lower elevations in the Snake River Canyon dug two pits and found this structure propagated and collapsed ~6500' on a SW and ENE aspects. On February 20th, a slab avalanche was reported at low elevation (7200') on a SE aspect in the Snake River Canyon.  These failures are occurring on or near a melt freeze crust/facets combo that exist roughly 50cm (20 inches) deep in the snowpack. While you're unlikely to trigger a large slab avalanche at lower elevations, warming temperatures may increase the sensitivity of this layer. Even a small avalanche can be consequential near terrain traps and creek bottoms. Use caution when entering and exiting the mountains today and remember conditions will change rapidly at lower elevations. 

 

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