Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Natural avalanches will become possible this afternoon and tonight as new and wind-driven snow overload a weak snowpack. Be very cautious near any wind-loaded slopes above 8,500’ today and expect to trigger large avalanches that can fail above, beside as well as below you. Slabs may be up to three feet thick in wind loaded areas while the shallow, early-season snowpack will make any ride painful or worse. Navigate cautiously near avalanche terrain as the snow begins to pile up today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the past week, there were 20 avalanches reported in the backcountry of the Teton Range, many of them occurred adjacent to this forecast zone. These wind slabs measured one to two feet thick and two to three feet thick on some higher elevation, northerly slopes. The wind slabs entrained snow down to weak layers below and in some places involved all of the snow to the ground. Strong wind gusting into the fifty miles per hour range and 4-6" of new snow will begin this pattern all over again today. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed in November will be tested again today with new and wind drifted snow. These slabs are 1-2 feet thick, remain sensitive to the weight of a person and will grow larger through the day. This problem is confined to steep upper elevation terrain and on shaded aspects in the mid elevations. Pay attention to warning signs such as collapsing and shooting cracks. The chance also exists for remote triggering. Give steep terrain a wide berth to account for this possibility today as new snow and wind add stress to the snowpack.

    Skier triggered avalanches were observed 2 days ago, failing on weak snow near the ground. Expect more of the same today. While the likelihood has gone down, the consequences remain high due to early season conditions.

    Photo: Joey Manship

Avalanche Discussion

An unusually slow start to winter has created snowpack issues that are isolated to specific terrain. Prior to this most recent storm, snow on the ground was confined to the upper elevation shaded aspects. Some old snow in the middle elevations could be found in north facing terrain, but is likely patchy in its distribution. Bare ground was prevalent in the lower elevations and on solar aspects in the mid elevations. As a result, we are left with a persistent slab problem that is relatively easy to identify based on elevation and aspect.

New snow that fell over the last several days was followed by a warming temperature trend. While this made for upside down riding conditions, it has helped to consolidate the new snow. This is good news in terrain that lacked snow coverage prior to loading. In terrain harboring old snow, the situation warrants caution, as much of that old snow is weak, faceted and requires more time to adjust to the new load.

Regions covered