New snow brings dangerous avalanche hazard conditions
Bridger-Teton National Forest Backcountry Avalanche Hazard & Weather Forecast
by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
March 31, 2010
New snow has created dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains of western Wyoming. Tuesday’s storm deposited a foot of new snow on Blind Bull Summit in the Wyoming Range. Wind gusts over 100 miles per hour were recorded at the Mount Coffin automated weather station in the Wyoming Range.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center in Jackson forecasts avalanche danger during the winter months and posts daily updates. They have raised the avalanche danger for all area mountains to "Considerable". This rating means: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.
Below are the ratings for the mountains around the Upper Green River Valley. See their website for more details on advisories, avalanche information, weather and snow data, historical avalanche information and more: http://www.jhavalanche.org/
General Avalanche Advisories for Wednesday, March 31, 2010:
Continental Divide Trails/Togwotee Pass:
The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Yesterdays storm system brought up to 18 inches inches of new snow and strong southwest winds to the region. DANGEROUS dense wind slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon slick old snow surfaces and could by triggered by the weight of a single person. Excellent terrain evaluation skills and conservative decisions regarding terrain selection are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Southwest Trails/Grey's River Area:
The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Yesterdays storm system deposited a foot of new snow on Blind Bull Summit in the Wyoming Range. Wind gusts over 100 miles per hour were recorded at the Mount Coffin automated weather station. DANGEROUS dense wind slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon slick old snow surfaces and could by triggered by the weight of a single person. Excellent terrain evaluation skills and conservative decisions regarding terrain selection are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Teton Area:
Yesterday’s storm system brought up to 20 inches of new snow and strong southwest winds to the region. DANGEROUS dense wind slabs up to four feet in depth lie upon slick old snow surfaces and could by triggered by the weight of a single person. Excellent terrain evaluation skills and conservative decisions regarding terrain selection are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
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