Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on steep slopes where it is likely you will trigger an avalanche 2 to 3 feet deep, failing on buried weak snow. This weak layer exists on slopes above 8,000 feet that face west through north through east. Avalanches can be triggered from a distance, so your best strategy to deal with this problem is to avoid being on or underneath steep slopes where the persistent weak layers exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    In the last week we have seen numerous avalanches that are 2 to 3 foot deep hard slabs and have failed on buried weak snow that formed in January. Slides have been triggered by the weight of a rider, but they have also been triggered from a distance by people moving on low angle slopes. This trend will continue for the time being. The persistent weak layer of snow exists above 8,000 feet on slopes that face west through north through east and have occurred on open exposed slopes, as well as sheltered slopes in the trees. These are unmanageable avalanches so avoiding tangling with them is key.

    Pay attention to what the weather does today. If snow comes in with wind, you may be able to trigger shallow soft slab avalanches at upper elevations on wind loaded slopes or on slopes with a slick crust underneath. A small surface snow avalanche has the potential to step down into buried weak snow.

    Large natural persistent slab avalanche that happened around the last storm.

    While it isn't likely a natural avalanche will occur right now, the weight of a rider could trigger an avalanche on this scale.

Avalanche Discussion

Today is our fourth day of considerable avalanche hazard after two days of high hazard. While sometimes danger decreases faster after a storm, this is not one of those times. The reason is that the weak layer we are dealing with formed over a long period of time, allowing it to become robust and developed. Now, it will take time for that weak snow to revert back to harder and relatively stronger snow that can support the weight on top of it.

The chance of triggering an avalanche failing on buried week snow will subside in the coming weeks. There are a couple of feet of snow on top of the January Drought Layer, but now it needs time to adjust to the weight and insulation of the recently added snow. In the short term, it is making the snowpack cranky and the danger will remain elevated until avalanche activity subsides. From there things start to get tricky because avalanches become harder to trigger, but consequences are still high. For now, let's take it day by day, and our advice is to avoid being on or under slopes that have the persistent slab problem.

Thanks to the parties that have submitted observations over the last week! These observations are key in facilitating accurate avalanche forecasts. If you see anything, please consider submitting an observation here.

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