Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Yesterday, strong southerly wind  and new snow built wind slabs that you could trigger today. Look for signs of wind loading like shooting cracks in the snow's surface or drifts. Warming temperatures and periods of sunshine will make avalanches more likely this afternoon. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You're most likely to find and trigger wind slabs at ridgetops in the upper elevations but there were reports of strong wind speeds building drifts at middle elevations down to 8,000'. These could be one to two feet thick or possibly thicker beneath steep terrain features and couloirs. Expect these slabs to become more reactive on sunlit slopes if skies clear this afternoon.

     

     

     

     

     

    (3/5/2023)

    Skier-triggered avalanche on Pucker Face; despite spring-like weather, things are not open season yet, particularly in steep and rocky upper-elevation features that will see ever-increasing sunshine.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent layers of weak snow have been most active at low elevations recently during periods of sunshine and warm temperatures. Today could be another one of those days in the remaining low elevations slopes that haven't already avalanched. Mid and upper elevation slopes are unlikely to produce an avalanche on these layers in the Tetons though a bit of recent snow or wind loaded snow could make these crust/facet or drought layers more reactive to the weight of a passing skier or rider, particularly in steep, rocky terrain. These layers are not entirely dormant though triggering one above 7500' is unlikely in the Tetons.

    (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

You may have noticed a new Observations tab in the forecast this week. Click the tab to find all the Observations for the zone you are viewing with other zones filtered out. Also new this season, the Pocatello office of the NWS has buffed out the avalanche weather guidance product to include handy graphics for southeast Idaho as well as adjacent forecast areas for the Bridger-Teton and UAC. Check it out here and you can click on the adjacent forecast areas.

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