Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The danger will rise from MODERATE this morning to CONSIDERABLE this afternoon in the mid and upper elevations. Incoming new snow and wind will create unstable conditions. It will become likely to trigger avalanches ranging from 1 to 4 feet deep in steep terrain later in the day. In the lower elevations it will be possible to trigger avalanches up to 1 foot in depth in very steep terrain. Pay attention to rapidly changing conditions and move towards lower angle terrain as the new snow stacks up and the day progresses.

The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning that will remain in effect until 5 am Tuesday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow over the last 3 days ranges from 10-30” in the Snake River Range. This snow has been redistributed over the last 24 hours by moderate to strong west winds. This has left slabs in the 1-2 foot range that will be sensitive to the weight of a person this morning. Likelihood of triggering will be on the higher end of the scale in terrain 35 degrees and over.

    The next round of precipitation has begun this morning, and will increase the size and sensitivity of these slabs. Expect slabs to be in the 1-3 foot range by day's end. While wind slabs are the most likely type of avalanche problem to encounter today, don’t rule out slabs unaffected by the wind (storm slabs) as well as dry loose avalanches in very steep terrain.

    Be on the lookout for obvious signs of instability such as recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapsing. When these signs are present it is time to move to lower angled and more simple terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A thin layer of weak snow that was buried prior to the most recent storm, labeled the Feb 6th layer, was producing wide propagating avalanches in steep terrain 4-5 days ago. Yesterday there were reports of avalanches failing at this interface 2-4 feet deep in the adjacent Teton range.  Avalanches at this interface will be more likely today as the new snow overloads the upper portion of the snowpack. This problem will be more pronounced on the north half of the compass in the middle and upper elevations. Avalanches at these depths, in the 3-5 foot range, will be difficult to escape. With this in mind, give yourself an extra wide margin around all avalanche terrain today

    (2/15/2025)

    A skier triggered avalanche in the southern Tetons on a NE slope at 9400 feet on Feb 15th. This avalanche had varying crown depths up to 2.5 feet, putting it in the "persistent slab" category.

    SS-AS-R3-D2-O

    Red circle was the trigger point on ski cut. Red line is first release, blue line is second release.

Avalanche Discussion

Snow and wind over the last 3 days has created instability within the new snow. It has also stressed underlying weak layers. Today will see additional accumulations of 7-12” of snow along with 20mph winds out of the west. This will bring additional stress to the snowpack.

Potential weak interfaces can be found within the new snow (10-30” down), on the Feb 6th interface (3-5 feet down) and on the Feb 4th crust below 8500 feet (2-4 feet down). All of these depths are great enough to create avalanches that can injure or bury a person. The deeper the avalanche, the greater potential for significant harm. Today is a good day to dial back terrain choices and give the snowpack time to adjust to this rapid change.

Regions covered