Lawinenlagebericht

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains today. Very large, destructive natural avalanches are likely as buried weak layers were rapidly loaded with heavy snow and strong wind last night. Backcountry travel in and around avalanche terrain steeper than 30° is not advised in middle and upper elevations. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–3.5

    Hard slab avalanches failing over 5 feet deep will be possible. A few notable avalanches in the Tetons were reported last week in the upper elevations that potentially failed on the weak snow preserved since November. These events were not verified up close. What really matters is that very large avalanches will be possible as these weak layers are seriously stressed by rapid loading.

    (1/15/2024)

    Very large natural avalanche from the last storm cycle 1/12 observed from a distance. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    1.5–3

    Historically dry conditions in December formed a widespread weak layer across all elevations and most aspects. This layer was already stressed and loaded during our last storm cycle. Rapid loading of up to 16 inches of new snow and strong W wind last night will stress these weak layers to the tipping point with natural avalanches likely. Human triggered avalanches are almost certain. These avalanches will be hard slabs 3-5 feet deep in middle and upper elevations propagating across slope wide distances. Slabs 1-3 feet deep will be found in lower elevations. Remote triggering these avalanches from gentle terrain above, below, or to the side of steep slopes is likely. The unpredictable nature of these avalanches could fail on treed slopes or occur naturally on steep terrain above you. Stay away from runout zones of large avalanche paths and terrain connected to steep slopes. Simply put, travel on avalanche terrain above 30° is not recommended.

    (1/17/2024) Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

    Large avalanche that occured yesterday (1/17) on Teton Pass. This is a good example of large propagation potential on well connected terrain. 

Avalanche Discussion

A real winter storm hammered the mountains last night bringing up to 16” of new snow and 1.6” of SWE. This storm also brought strong W/SW wind 30-40 mph with gusts to 69 mph. Wind and storm slabs have intentionally been left off the problems list. Not for lack of their existence. There are most certainly wind and storm slabs 1-3 feet deep. The main concern is the rapid loading and significant stress added to the December drought layer. By managing the persistent slab problem, you are managing storm and wind slabs. Natural avalanches have already been reported on Teton Pass. Avoid avalanche terrain. It’s that simple. 80 avalanches were reported over the last week. Yes, 80! Most of which failed on the December drought layer. And you better believe this storm is going to wake that layer back up again. Don’t let the powder euphoria cloud your judgment. Let this storm settle as backcountry travel in avalanche terrain today is downright dangerous unfortunately. 

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