Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through 11 AM on Tuesday. At the mid and upper elevations, new wind slabs will form on dense snow and graupel. In steep, wind-loaded terrain, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs along with deeper wind slabs that formed over the past few days. Weak layers of faceted snow that formed in January can be found deeper in the snowpack, and slab avalanches could initiate on or step down to these layers. Melt/freeze cycles in the valley have helped stabilized the lower elevation snowpack. If valley rain occurs in the afternoon, the chance for wet slides will return. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid terrain that is being rapidly wind-loaded.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Moderate to heavy snowfall, along with increasing southwesterly ridgetop winds, will create new wind slabs in leeward terrain. As the day progresses, the hazard will increase as these slabs gain depth and volume. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain could trigger these slabs with depths of 6 to 12 inches along with recently formed wind slabs ranging from one to three feet deep. Natural avalanche activity will also be possible.

Avalanche Discussion

The National Weather Service has extended their Winter Storm Warning through 5 PM on Tuesday. Another Pacific trough will move into the region overnight bringing another round of moderate to heavy snowfall before decreasing in intensity on Tuesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low teens before rising to near 20 during the day. Very strong southwesterly ridgetop winds at 30 to 40 miles per hour will continue before decreasing to 15 to 25 in the morning.On Tuesday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be High in the Tetons. Both human triggered and natural slab avalanches involving the recent snowfall will be likely. These slides will range in depth from one to three feet. Snow water equivalents since Wednesday could reach five inches by tomorrow. This load might be sufficient to see avalanche activity failing on the faceted snow from January. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING PERIODS OF HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER.Less snow has fallen in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast areas, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. There, skiers and riders are likely to trigger recently developed wind slabs, which could range in depth from one to two feet. Natural avalanche activity will also be possible. Similar weak layers of facet snow from January exist in these areas, but with snow water equivalents in the range of two to three inches since Wednesday, they are less likely to fail. The chance of triggering full depth avalanches lingers on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet. Cautious route finding and careful snowpack evaluation will be essential for safe travel.

Regions covered