Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist. Avoid travelling in avalanche terrain. This includes being under large paths that if triggered, could impact normally safe routes below. The avalanche danger will increase today as sunlight and increasing temperatures further weaken the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Backcountry riders and skiers can easily trigger slab avalanches today. In higher terrain these slabs could be hard or soft and have depths to four feet. In lower elevations, they are likely to release as soft slabs with depths to two feet.  The sensitivity of these slabs will increase today. Slabs may release remotely or after a slope has been tracked. The widespread distribution and thickness of the weak snow layer that formed in December cannot be understated. 

    (1/18/2024)

    Start zone of Ullr's D3.5 avalanche from the debris pile. The avlanche ran ~2800' downhill. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Although the primary concern and far more sensitive interface involves the weak snow buried on January 4th. Avalanches could involve deeper weak layers near the base of the snowpack with depths to five or more feet. 

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack is generally unstable. The storm that ended yesterday morning brought over 1.5 inches of snow water equivalent in approximately 18 hours. During peak loading, west winds increased to 40 mph averages with gusts near 70mph.  Given the poor underlying structure, natural avalanche activity occurred during this loading event and skier triggered events were occurring at all elevations. Check out the observation page for more details such as the ULLR event.  Although slabs will be slightly less sensitive this morning, the widespread nature of this avalanche problem, extending through all elevations and aspects and the fact that conditions are so sensitive that remote triggers continue to be likely, the rating remains High. In addition, a warming trend is to continue today that will bring the warmest temperatures since snowfall began in early January. Forecast mountain temperatures are to reach into the upper twenties. This warming will increase the creep and settlements rates and further stress these already unstable slabs. This will increase the likelihood of human triggered and natural activity. Temperatures could increase more than forecast in calm sunlit areas, making avalanche terrain that much more dangerous this afternoon. Use caution on even terrain that is familiar and "never slides". 

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