Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain possible at ALL ELEVATIONS today. Lingering wind slabs are the primary concern in the alpine. On southerly aspects recent storm slabs and persistent slabs could activate with solar input today. Of particular concern are steep, unsupported slopes on the southern half of the compass that are in and around large cliff bands. Monitor the effects of the sun on the snow surface, 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

    Lingering wind slabs that are 1-2 feet deep exist on many aspects at the middle and upper elevations. 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 storm. Cold temperatures in the wake of the atmospheric river have preserved this instability, with relatively little settelment occuring within the new snow overnight. Strong winds on Friday have deposited snow below traditional start zones, especially in and around major cliff bands. Solar input should increase the reactivity of these hard slabs today.

    Loose snow avalanches (both dry and loose) could become a problem with the solar input today. 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 throughout the advisory area. Today's sunshine and warm temperatures will once again test these areas. 

    Crust facet combinations are plentiful on west through south through south-east aspects at all elevations. The overall reactivity of these layers at the middle and upper elevations remains fairly uncertain. Once again, solar input from today should increase reactivity on southerly aspects. 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 wmay have failed naturally though an animal trigger seems possible as well. 

    Photo: Brad Boner/JH News and Guide

Avalanche Discussion

No new snow to report for the Tetons this morning (except for a trace at Grand Targhee). Winds have averaged 13 mph out of the SSW with 307 total miles recorded at Rendevous Summit. Temperatures currently range from single digits to the mid teens  in the valleys and are in the single digits on the peaks. 

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. Western Wyoming is under a short wave ridging pattern with snow showers returning later this evening. 

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. If today's sunny skies pan out, the most recent crust (March 12) will likely negate most avalanche activity below recently transported snow.

 

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