Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

It will be possible to trigger an avalanche 1-3 feet deep in steep, wind loaded terrain at the mid and upper elevations today. Recent avalanches and shooting cracks are signs of unstable snow. Consider moving to sheltered, low angle terrain if you observe these signs. Avalanches are unlikely at the low elevations except in isolated pockets of very steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Snake River Range has picked up over a foot of new snow in the past 48 hours. Moderate to strong winds out of the southwest/ west have redistributed this snow and built slabs 1-3 feet thick on wind loaded slopes above 7,500’. These slabs may be hard or soft and could be triggered by the weight of a rider in terrain steeper than 35°. Given the recent high wind speeds, expect slabs to have formed further down and across slope than normal. The likelihood of triggering has decreased over the last two days, however human triggering is still possible today.

    Be on the lookout for unstable wind drifted snow while traveling in the mountains today. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapses in the snowpack are signs of instability. However, these signs may not present themselves before triggering an avalanche. Several reports yesterday indicate that wind slabs were triggered by the 3rd or 4th rider on a slope. Avoiding very steep, wind loaded slopes is the easiest way to manage this problem today.

    (2/7/2025)

    A D1 windslab NE, ~8500’ from two days ago in the Teton Zone. Note the drift formation and thicker crown in the center. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed during a dry period in the second half of January has been buried 3-4 feet deep by snowfall from the early February storms. These slabs sit on a variety of interfaces, including crusts on solar aspects and facets on shaded aspects. The likelihood of triggering slabs at this interface is decreasing over time. However, activating this layer may still be possible in very steep terrain. Large triggers such as a surface avalanche or multiple riders on a slope will increase the odds of impacting these layers in the middle of the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

A powerful winter storm beginning on February 6th brought about 20 inches of new snow and nearly 2” of water to the Snakes. Winds out of the southwest/west were notably strong during this period with gusts up to 60 mph! As a result, wind slabs have formed on many aspects above 7,500’. These slabs were most reactive two days ago, but multiple avalanche reports from yesterday indicate that triggering a wind slab is still on the table. A few inches of snow with moderate west winds are expected today. This shouldn’t be enough to elevate the avalanche hazard. The primary concern will still be the slabs that formed in the previous days. Snow will be less reactive than the past two days, but expect to find unstable snow in very steep wind loaded terrain.

The January 31st interface consisting of crusts and facets remains on the radar. This layer has been buried by 3-4 feet of snow containing over 5” of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). Since that layer was buried 6 days ago, temperatures have been warm, rain has fallen up to 9,000 feet, new snow and wind has stressed the snowpack, and temperatures have now cooled back down. In summary, the snowpack has been put to the test by the weather. While observations have been limited, the lack of reported activity at these depths, combined with these weather factors paint a picture of improving stability at this interface.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

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