Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 14 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Snow that fell in October persist above an elevation of 8,500 feet on northerly aspects and above an elevation of 9,500 feet on southerly aspects. Snow surfaces are comprised of well developed surface hoar on hard melt-freeze crusts. Bare ground exists below these elevations. Avalanches are unlikely today. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch. Light snowfall is expected to develop overnight and become heavy at times on Friday. Strong southwest winds will accompany this snowfall and create areas of blowing snow and poor visibility.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    We are testing our new layout and this discussion pertains to conditions that we expect to develop on Friday. Storm slab avalanches will not be a problem until the forecast new snow and strong winds arrive. New snow and strong southwest winds will begin to create new soft slabs on leeward aspects by day break on Friday. At the higher elevations and in areas at the mid elevations with old snow, these slabs will be forming on a persistent weak layer of well developed surface hoar that lies upon hard crusts. It is anticipated that these new soft slabs will be very sensitive to human triggers in areas underlain by these old snow surfaces.

Avalanche Discussion

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service. Snow and wind will spread into the region overnight and continue through the day on Friday. Accumulations of five to ten inches can be expected at the highest elevations by Friday evening. The snow will be accompanied by strong southwest winds with gusts over 50 miles per hour over the higher terrain. Areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility are to be expected in the mountains. Temperatures at 9,000 feet will be in the 20s. Pockets of new soft slab will begin to form on leeward aspects at the higher elevations and increase in size and depth as the day progresses. These slabs are not likely to bond well to the slick old snow surfaces. On Friday the general avalanche hazard is expected to INCREASE to MODERATE at the higher elevations. Pockets of soft slab up to 18 inches in depth are likely to be easily triggered by humans and may release naturally in steep avalanche starting zones. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in terrain where the new snow accumulates on bare ground.

Regions covered