Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Over a foot of recent snow and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury a person is likely in steep, wind loaded terrain above 9,000’ today. Additional snowfall today will make it difficult to identify these wind slabs. Conservative terrain selection and careful assessment will be required for safe travel today.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over a foot of new snow has fallen over the past 48 hours in the Snake River Range. Extremely strong winds out of the southwest 24 to 36 hours ago drifted snow and formed wind slabs 1-2 feet deep. These slabs will be hard in the upper elevations and softer below 9,000’. Triggering a wind slab remains likely in terrain steeper than about 35 degrees today.  The slabs may be stubborn to initiate given the high wind speeds but widely distributed through the terrain. Signs of wind affect will be obscured by snow that fell last night on much lower wind speeds. Triggered avalanches are likely to contain enough snow to bury you.

    An additional 2-4 inches of new snow accompanied by moderate, northwesterly winds is expected today. Be on the lookout for newly formed slabs as the day progresses and remember that avalanches may break deeper than you expect given the recent snow totals. You're also likely to find significant sluffing on steep slopes and possibly even a storm slab breaking in un-wind-affected snow in sheltered terrain, possibly below 9,000'.

    (3/17/2025)

    Steep wind loaded slopes like this one above Red Creek were cracking long distances yesterday but lacked energy due to the warm temps and wet snow. These slabs will be covered and further stressed by the 6-8 inches of snow that fell overnight.

Avalanche Discussion

In the past three days, 22" of snow containing 1.9" of water has been recorded at the Baird snow plot at 8,900'.  Last night's snow heavily favored the west side of the Tetons and likely the northern part of the Snake River Range where there is no snow telemetry. Snowfall in the past 12 hours has been lower density with cooling temperatures and light to moderate wind speeds. Weather conditions have been favorable for a right side up snowpack but the sheer volume of snow and recent high winds should have you entering terrain with caution.

If you see avalanche activity or would like to help inform our forecasts, please submit an observation HERE. You can also text what you see to us at 307-264-3050. Any submission can remain anonymous.

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