Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Mostly stable conditions will exist until the afternoon when wet loose avalanches could be triggered by skiers and riders on steep slopes facing the sun. Although less likely than previous warm days, these avalanches are more likely around rock features that heat surrounding snow surfaces. Move to shaded terrain if the snow becomes unsupportable and destabilizes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    The likelihood of wet avalanches decreases after each day of diurnal freeze/thaw cycles. The possibility of wet avalanches is less likely today than yesterday, but could still be triggered in steep, isolated terrain that has not already shed snow. This will depend on how the weather shakes out. Watch for the snow surfaces to break down to the point where it becomes mushy and unsupportable as a sign of destabilizing snow. Rollerballs and small wet loose avalanches are also signs of unstable snow. Remember that these avalanches can entrain large amounts of snow, especially on large, sustained slopes and in steep gullies or terrain traps.

    (2/5/2026)

    This avalanche occured three days during the first significantly warm day. 

    Photo: Kendall Benoit

Avalanche Discussion

Goodbye High Pressure

As mentioned above, the mountains have undergone significant freeze/thaw cycles the last three days. The forecasted weather today will make wet avalanches less likely. Moderate W/SW wind with strong gusts will help cool snow surfaces on exposed slopes throughout the day. Slopes sheltered from the wind could deteriorate more quickly. Scattered cloud cover will also help mitigate the snow surface warming, but skies could clear during the heat of the day. Pay attention to snow surfaces warming today and plan your route accordingly to avoid very steep, sunlit slopes by the afternoon if snow becomes unstable. 

It’s difficult to not get very excited for the incoming snow storm considering the long drought we have encountered. It’s important to understand that avalanche conditions will change significantly based on the amount of snow that falls. Take advantage of today if you travel in the backcountry to catalog all the different snow surfaces that exist based on aspect and elevation. Incoming snow will fall on a variety of different bonding interfaces that will directly influence the distribution of avalanche activity once enough snow falls. Seeing how avalanches initially behave once buried will provide valuable insight into how these weak interfaces will react over time. Stay conservative during this first significant burial of weak, drought formed interfaces.

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