Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Natural avalanches that are large enough to bury a person are possible in the steep, low elevation terrain surrounding Jackson Hole today. Human triggered avalanches remain possible at the upper elevations in the Tetons. Lingering wind slabs in the alpine will be difficult to identify due to poor visibility and fresh snow today. Monitor the effects of above freezing temperatures, and pay attention to signs of instability within wind affected snow such as cracking. 

Roof avalanches could pose a threat to humans today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak snow that has lingered since the beginning of the season is WIDESPREAD on the low elevation sagebrush slopes and steep north-facing terrain throughout the advisory area. Last nights poor freeze and todays warming temperatures will combine to increase the likelihood of natural avalanche activity in steep low elevation terrain. Roof avalanches could also be a hazard. 

    Crust facet combinations are plentiful on west through south through south-east aspects at all elevations. However, cohesive slabs of snow that haven't been dissected or capped by recent crusts on top of these layers are harder to find. The overall reactivity of these layers at the middle and upper elevations remains fairly uncertain but recent avalanche activity is severely lacking. You can use your shovel to dig a quick snow pit and assess these layers with an extended column test. 

     

    (3/7/2023)

    This avalanche may have failed naturally though an animal trigger seems possible as well. 

    Photo: Brad Boner/JH News and Guide

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Stubborn wind slabs that are 1-2 feet deep exist on many aspects at upper elevations and will be covered with 3-6 inches of fresh snow. These slabs are primarily 4F to 1F in hardness and rest on top of fist-hard decomposing snow from the powder cycle prior to the most recent atmospheric river. Strong winds on Friday (March 10)  deposited snow below traditional start zones, especially in and around major cliff bands. 

    Many cornices are reaching their zenith for the season. Be aware that these large cornices often break further back than anticipated and can trigger unusually large avalanches for the given conditions. 

    (3/10/2023)

    Obvious signs of unstable storm slabs. 

    Photo: Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Upper elevation sites on the east side of the Tetons picked up 4-5 inches of snow in the last 24 hours while the west and south sides got closer to 2 inches. Winds have averaged 19 mph out of the SW with 466 total miles recorded at Rendevous Summit. Temperatures barely dipped below the freezing level at the lower elevations last night but did get down to the upper teens at the upper elevations. 

Another atmospheric river event is on tap for today.  Another 1-3 inches of snow is expected throughout the day today with SSW winds in the 15-25 mph range.

Recent avalanche activity has been confined to wind slabs and storm slabs that were mostly size 1 during the storm, as well as some natural size 1 avalanches on persistent weak layers at the lower elevations.

Snow surfaces are composed of various form of new snow (rimed dendrites, graupel, etc.) at the middle and upper elevations. The Feb 18 crust/facet combo is now buried around a meter deep at the upper elevations, and closer to 2 feet at the lower elevations. The last know avalanche on this layer occured on February 23 in the Tetons. 

Regions covered