JACKSON, Wyo. — Some Buckrail readers might have noticed that the forecasts from the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) have included more yellow and orange recently in place of green.

Last Thursday, Feb. 5, a wet slide occurred on Taylor Mountain due to warming temps. Now, as more precipitation is forecast, backcountry users should be wary of more winter-like conditions returning.

Screenshot of today’s avalanche forecast. Image: BTAC

“New snow and wind will form soft slabs up to 18 inches deep above 9,000 feet with natural avalanches likely,” avalanche forecaster Travis Baldwin shared in his report this morning.

While the storms predicted by the National Weather Service do not appear to include massive amounts of snow — most nights this week are predicted to have less than one inch of accumulation — any change in weather and temperature will have an effect on avalanche conditions.

BTAC shared that the forecasted snow and strong westerly wind gusting up to 45 mph along with potentially weak interfaces are a “tasty recipe for avalanches.”

“Shifting out of a low avalanche hazard mindset from the last month into assessment mode might take some effort,” Baldwin continued in his avalanche report. “Dig around and see how new snow is bonding and monitor snow totals. Continue to travel one at a time, keep an eye on your partners and enjoy the powder this afternoon.”

Hannah is a Buckrail Staff Reporter and freelance web developer and designer who has called Jackson home since 2015. When she’s not outside, you can probably find her eating a good meal, playing cribbage, or at one of the local yoga studios. She’s interested in what makes this community tick, both from the individual and collective perspective.