Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow with increasing westerly winds this afternoon sustaining 20 mph will form fresh slabs and stress weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep. Wind loaded terrain will have the highest potential to trigger both wind and persistent slab avalanches. Identify areas where wind is transporting new snow and understand that persistent slab avalanches are unpredictable. Use your best judgment to manage these problems by evaluating the snow and terrain carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Incremental loading of new snow will continually form fresh wind slabs as forecasted W wind increases to a sustained 20 mph with gusts above 30 mph by this afternoon. These slabs will be around a foot deep, with  upwards of 2 feet possible in areas that favor strong wind deposition along ridges and near cliff features. Terrain where you will most likely encounter wind slabs will be on leeward and cross loaded slopes on the north and east aspects. But, those upper elevations can be tricky as terrain driven wind can load a variety of aspects especially in the alpine. Look for signs of wind loading such as rippled textures, drifts and cracking.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The March 20th interface is now buried 2-3 feet deep above a soft slab that has experienced significant temperature fluctuations during the last few days. This interface is decreasing in sensitivity, but still possible as seen yesterday on Taylor. This layer is composed of facets/crusts on solar aspects and small preserved facets on northerly aspects protected by the sun. The sensitivity of this layer is hard to gauge due to the varying slab depths and characteristics of the layer across different aspects. Loading of incoming new snow and wind transport will stress this layer increasing reactivity, particularly in wind loaded terrain. Remotely triggering cannot be ruled out entirely from gentler slopes above, below, or adjacent to steep slopes. Long story short: persistent slab avalanches are difficult to predict and manage, so think about the consequences of triggering a large avalanche while traveling in avalanche terrain. 

    (3/30/2023)

    Looking up at the avalanche from below after triggering on the ridge at 10,000' on a NE aspect

Avalanche Discussion

Winter Continues...

Another week, and another discussion on how this winter just keeps on rolling. Good thing we love powder around these parts. There’s a mixed bag of conditions out there today, as snowfall varied drastically across the forecast zones. The big takeaway is that regardless of where you’re recreating, areas with higher amounts of new snow will see higher avalanche danger. This trend will continue into next week. New snow instability and stress added to the persistent slab will require careful terrain management and restraint to push into consequential terrain. These persistent slab avalanches are difficult to predict, especially with the spatial variability altering the likelihood and distribution across aspects and elevations. THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPRING. I’ve said it over and over, but don’t let complacency cloud our judgment with this complex snowpack. 

Regions covered