JACKSON, Wyo. — Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC) forecasters have issued a high avalanche warning going into the holiday weekend until 12 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The Center’s forecast states that the Tetons have received 22 to 36 inches of snow with 1.7 to 2.9 inches of snow water equivalent over the last two days. Overnight, 12 inches of snow fell accompanied by 20 to 30 mph W/SW winds. Two to three foot soft storm/wind slab avalanches will be likely be triggered in both sheltered and wind affected terrain across all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are more likely in upper to middle elevations near ridge lines and on open/exposed terrain where wind is rapidly loading new snow.
According to BTAC, the recent snow will add stress to weak layers which were recently buried on Feb. 2, and overlay hard slabs that are three to four feet deep. These weak layers have been most reactive on north to east aspects in the upper elevations.
BTAC advises backcountry users to avoid areas in steep terrain, upper elevation runout zones below steep terrain, and to look for obvious signs of instability such as cracking snow surfaces.
The Avalanche Center reminds skiers and snowboarders that this year’s snowpack is weak due to dry, clear nights earlier in the winter.
“We urge you to look at this snowpack as a more dangerous beast than most years,” BTAC reports. “Stay off of and out from below steep slopes—slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. Large avalanches will likely release on their own and may be triggered remotely—from flat terrain above, below and to the sides of steep slopes. Natural and human-triggered avalanches may run long distances and can impact gentler terrain below.”
