Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Human triggered avalanches are very likely in steep terrain and new slabs up to 4 feet in depth have been formed by the recent winter storm. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to 3 feet of snow has fallen in the Tetons since Friday morning. Wind gusts were recorded approaching 70 miles per hour on top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The recent extreme weather has crafted wind slabs that are expected to be reactive. Slopes may be loaded with 2-3 feet of wind deposited snow and these slabs may be found in unexpected locations. Natural avalanches continue to be likely in upper elevations. 

    The hazard at mid elevations has dropped to Considerable although human triggered avalanches continue to be likely. Use extreme caution if traveling in the backcountry, a single skier or rider can trigger one of these slides. Monitor conditions as you travel and note any slopes that are getting actively loaded throughout the day. While the storm has tapered, today’s winds can continue to move snow and build slabs.

    Lower elevations may also have dangerous surface slabs. All steep slopes should be avoided today.

    This is an example of wind transorting snow. Watch for blowing snow today as it is an indication of continued loading.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The weak layers that were buried 3-5 deep have been stress loaded by the recent storm. Over three feet of new snow has fallen in the Tetons in the last few days. This amount of new precipitation is a shock load to persistent weak layers. Layers that have seen little to no recent activity may fail as they struggle with the new load. Additionally wind slabs may step down and trigger these large, destructive avalanches.

    This picture from the Tetons shows a persistent slab avalanche that failed during a February storm cycle. Similar avalanches are possible today on buried weak layers that have been stressed by recent loading.

Avalanche Discussion

The winter storm that just moved through has added over 5 inches of water to our snowpack in the Tetons. Yesterday’s widespread road closures, poor visibility, and difficult travel limited the amount of observations that were possible. We have early reports of wind slab avalanches that failed during this storm, it is still unclear how the persistent weak layers in the snowpack are reacting. Persistent weak layers may struggle to adjust to the new weight. Use extreme caution, monitor for signs of instability, and avoid travel in or under avalanche terrain.

If winds are actively transporting snow today, hazardous slabs may continue to build on the surface and become more reactive. While heavy snowfall is not in today’s forecast, dangerous avalanche conditions exist and continued loading is possible.

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