Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Large avalanches are unlikely today, but watch for isolated pockets of windblown snow at upper elevations. Thanks to the strength and shifting direction of the wind, expect to find slabs of fresh snow in atypical locations. Generally safe avalanche conditions exist in wind-sheltered terrain or where the snowpack surface is frozen hard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Due to gusty conditions, 2-4 inches of fresh snowfall today will be rapidly transported into slabs. Snow will move easily on the old snow surface, but snowfall amounts look to remain low, particularly at middle and low elevations. Winds are expected to shift from southwesterly to northwesterly, so expect to find some amount of slab development across the board if entering alpine terrain at upper elevations. This is not a widespread problem, nor is it likely to produce large avalanches, but think about the consequences of taking a ride in a small avalanche before committing to a slope. If you head into the wind slab's natural habitat—upper elevation, wind-exposed terrain—be on the lookout for evidence of windblown such as stiffer snow, drifted pillows, and rippled snow texture. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Hard slabs 3-5 feet thick overlay weak snow that formed earlier in the season. Shallow, rocky, and unsupported terrain on the north half of the compass is where this problem has been most active. It is currently unlikely that a human would trigger one of these slabs. Larger triggers, like cornice fall or surface snow avalanches (i.e., wind slabs or wet avalanches), can impact weak layers buried deeply in the snowpack and initiate a much larger avalanche. Furthermore, an extreme loading event or a prolonged period above freezing has the potential to impact these layers. 

    (3/5/2024)

    A very large persistent slab avalanche failed during the early March storm cycle. This terrain characterizes where this problem is most active: very steep, unsupported slopes near cliffs.

    Photo: Dan Hayes

Avalanche Discussion

If I had to choose a term to describe the current avalanche conditions in a nutshell, I'd probably say that things are "annoying" out there.  Conditions aren't scary or particularly dangerous, but there are enough smaller problems to keep your tips up and your head on a swivel. The dry-to-wet snow transition is always a strange time to navigate as a forecaster, varying vastly from season to season. During this time of year, I often wish there was a "moist slab"  or "sort-of-dry loose" option, as many avalanche problems can span the divide between dry and wet snow. Once the snowpack starts to melt as it has been for multiple days, many layers in the top half will remain wet (barring many days of cold temperatures), even if a supportable surface crust refreezes. Today, expect to find punchy conditions where the surface crust is less supportable, like at low elevations.

TL;DR: Flip-flop season is approaching, but enjoy another taste of winter today. Before you go, consider the range of hazards you'll face in the terrain you choose to enter.

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