Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain possible at the upper elevations in the Tetons and in steep, low elevation terrain surrounding Jackson Hole today. Lingering wind slabs in the alpine will be difficult to identify due to poor visibility and fresh snow today. Avalanches at the middle elevations are unlikely today but could occur in isolated areas near ridgelines and exposed drainage features. Monitor the effects of above freezing temperatures, and pay attention to signs of instability within wind affected snow such as cracking. 

Avalanche problems

  • 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 1-3 inches of fresh snow by the end of the day. 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

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    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. 

    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

Avalanche Discussion

A trace to one inch of new snow to report for the Tetons. Winds have averaged 11 mph out of the SW with 269 total miles recorded at Rendevous Summit. 

The recent atmospheric river event left up to 1.7 inches of water at the upper elevations of the Tetons in a 72 hr window. Very strong and sustained SSW winds hammered the upper elevations. Rain line reached the the 6700' elevation level, primarily on the west side of the Range. A shortwave will pass through the area today and tonight bringing widespread snow showers in a WSW flow. Accumulations should be light, with temperatures above the freezing level from the valleys all the way up to the top of the peaks. 

Recent avalanche activity has been confined to wind slabs and storm slabs that were mostly size 1 during the storm.

Snow surfaces are composed of crusts on solar aspects and wind affected snow at the 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. 

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