Your Support Needed to Help Improve the Teton Area Avalanche Forecast

A Facebook post by the Friends of Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center is asking for your support to help include specialized weather data from Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) backcountry weather stations in their avalanche forecasts. Here’s the entire release…

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO SPECIALIZED WEATHER DATA SOURCED FROM GRAND TETON’S BACKCOUNTRY THAT INFORMS THE TETON AREA AVALANCHE FORECAST.

HELP US CHANGE THAT. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2018.

Grand Teton National Park provides access to some of the best terrain in North America. The popularity of backcountry skiing and riding continues to increase in the Tetons—there are more and more users venturing into technical avalanche terrain each year.

The current Teton Area avalanche forecast does not include specialized weather data from Grand Teton National Park’s backcountry. In partnership with Grand Teton National Park and Bridger Teton Avalanche Center (BTAC), Grand Teton National Park Foundation is raising money to purchase weather stations for the park that will provide additional data to enhance BTAC’s local avalanche forecast. Support this effort today.

Help us source weather data directly from Grand Teton to support the Teton Area avalanche forecast

• If we meet our goal by September 1, weather stations will be installed this fall for the 2018-2019 winter season and will integrate into the current BTAC Teton Area forecast
• Wind and snow stations will be placed in the central part of the range (where there is heavy use by skiers/riders) and in the northern part of the park that will enhance BTAC’s Teton Area forecast
• Additional data will provide skiers and riders with better information before entering the park’s backcountry

Current Teton Area avalanche forecast

• Covers the 45-mile long Teton Range, including a large portion that lies within Grand Teton National Park
• Most weather data for the avalanche forecast is currently collected outside of Grand Teton National Park’s boundaries
• Precipitation, wind, and temperatures can vary dramatically over short distances
• The two images are examples of the wind and snow equipment that will be purchased for the park