Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise to considerable if we receive forecasted snow totals of over a foot by this evening with increasing southerly winds. Triggering a large avalanche on steep wind-loaded slopes over 35° will be likely. Look for heavy snow, wind-loading, and shooting cracks as signs of unstable snow. Rain at low elevations could destabilize snow surfaces. Avoid being on and below very steep slopes if you encounter rain and wet snow surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Forecasted snow totals of up to 12" could fall by this evening, and winds will gust in the 30s mph.  Wind slabs will begin to form on lee aspects today and could be up to 18" thick by this evening. These slabs will be sensitive to the weight of a person and will be sitting on slick crusts in many locations.  If we receive the upper amounts of forecasted snow in the Snake River Range, wind slab avalanches will be large enough to bury you by the end of the day.  Look for drifts and stiff pillows in exposed areas at middle and upper elevations around cliffs and in cross-loaded terrain features. Cracking and collapsing will be good indicators that you found unstable snow and should point you towards lower-angled sheltered terrain.

    Although less reactive and smaller, storm slab avalanches up to a foot deep will be possible on sheltered terrain. New snow will fall on a variety of surfaces, including melt freeze crusts on southerly aspects. Perform quick hand shear tests to assess new snow stability.

    (3/11/2025)

    There were obvious visual signs of recent wind effect in the Palisades high country.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Warm overnight temperatures and possible rain below 7500 feet could further destabilize the snowpack. It will be possible to trigger small wet loose avalanches in steep terrain. Northern aspects, in particular, have escaped much of the loose snow activity caused by the recent warm and sunny weather. These shady aspects could be more reactive to rain on snow. Keep this in mind as you change aspects throughout the day in locations that are receiving rain. While these avalanches will most likely be small, they will carry a lot of force and could easily knock you over or push you into a terrain trap.  Avoid steep slopes if you encounter wet snow.

    A recent skier triggered wet loose avalanche in the Snake River Canyon. Avalanches like this may become possible later today on very steep, south facing slopes if conditions remain sunny.

    (3/8/2025) Photo: Ben Martin

Avalanche Discussion

This storm is forecasted to favor the Snake River Range with higher snow totals, ranging from 6 to 15 inches by 9 pm tonight. This range causes some uncertainty in the forecasted avalanche danger. Considerable avalanche hazard indicates that natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered avalanches are likely. A Considerable danger rating will be accurate if we receive a foot or more snow by this evening. As you are out today, monitor snow totals and pay attention to wind loading. Quick hand pits are a great way to see how well the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces and also to check cohesion and see if the hand shear pulls off as a slab or if it remains cohesionless and powdery. If we receive lesser amounts of snow,  while smaller

With continued mild temperatures today and increased wind loading, continue to minimize time underneath cornices and remember that they break much farther back on ridges than you might expect.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. You can also text what you see to us at 307-264-3050. 

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