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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Yesterday, a group of snowmobilers triggered a very large slide near Commissary Ridge in the Salt River Range. This event resulted in one full burial and two partial burials. Star Valley Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the accident and the fully buried victim was evacuated by helicopter. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. A skier also triggered a three foot deep soft slab on 25 short on Friday. Similar high consequence, persistent slabs ranging in depth from two to five feet are likely to be triggered today. Conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds continue to transport recent snowfall and increase the load on persistent weak layers of faceted snow that formed during the mostly dry period from the first half of December. These large to very large persistent slabs present a very significant threat to backcountry users not only due to their high likelihood and consequences, but also due to the high degree of spatial variability and uncertainty associated with these persistent weak layers. These slabs are just waiting for a trigger, and any slope that has not slid should be viewed as suspect. Forecasted snowfall and strong winds throughout the day will exacerbate this problem.

Avalanche Discussion

Light, scattered snow showers will linger this evening before a drying and cooling trend takes hold as high pressure moves into the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will drop into the single digits before rising into the mid-teens during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will veer to the northwest and decrease to 15 to 25 miles per hour.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE on Sunday. While the likelihood of triggering persistent slabs to depths of four feet will slowly decrease, the consequences remain high. Don’t let previous tracks fool you into thinking a slope is stable, and continue to make conservative terrain choices. Take note of obvious signs of instability, which include recent avalanche activity, whomphing and cracking, and avoid avalanche terrain where these indicators are present.

Regions covered