Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day as temperatures rise. Wet loose avalanches will become likely on solar aspects, especially around exposed rock features. Higher elevation terrain may produce larger wet avalanches where recent snow totals are greater. Watch for signs of warming as the day progresses. Snow surfaces becoming wet, slushy, or unsupportable indicate weakening snow. When in doubt, move to cooler shaded slopes, or lower-angle terrain. 

This is the final daily forecast of the winter season, general bulletins will be issued twice a week into May.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Clear skies combined with warmer temperatures will make wet loose avalanches likely by the afternoon. Today will be the warmest day since the last storm on 4/17. Higher elevations holding larger recent snow totals may be able to produce avalanches large enough to bury a person.  Slopes directly facing the sun will have the greatest likelihood of wet loose avalanches. East-facing slopes will warm first, followed by south and then west aspects. Increased avalanche activity may occur near rock features where the surrounding snow surface heats up quickly.

    Wet avalanches often start at a point and fan out, quickly entraining large amounts of snow. New snow sits on a poor crust interface allowing these slides to move quickly. Monitor the snow surface for signs of warming such as roller balls or snow shedding from rock features. Steer clear of slopes where snow has become wet, slushy, or unsupportable. Use timing, aspect, and terrain choice to manage this problem. 

    A D1.5 wet loose avalanche. Wet loose avalanches often start at a point, near exposed rocks or trees, and fan out entraining large amounts of snow.  

Avalanche Discussion

Overnight was another night of below freezing temperatures with mid and upper elevations reaching the low 20s F. Todays forecasted high temperatures combined with clear skies will heat snow at higher elevations that previously experienced less solar input. The higher you travel in elevation, the more recent snow you will encounter and wet loose avalanches will be larger. During spring, direct sun heats the snow surface quickly. Plan your travels accordingly to avoid steep solar slopes by the afternoon. Wet avalanche activity will remain the primary concern with temperatures rising through the remainder of the weekend and into the beginning of next week. Don't get caught off guard, even a small avalanche can be consequential in steep terrain. 

This is the final daily avalanche forecast for the 23-24 winter season. We will continue issuing a General Snow and Avalanche Information Bulletin two times per week into May. The 24 Hour Weather Summary (Big Sheet) will be updated daily until June 1st. To everyone who submitted observations this season - Thank you. Your observations help us improve our forecasts each day. We encourage you to continue submitting observations as you get into the mountains this spring. 

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