Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 14 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The storm ending Sunday night created surface slabs on steep, lee slopes at upper elevations. Deeper weaknesses in the snowpack remain a concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Sunday's heavy snow was driven by strong southwesterly to westerly winds. Backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger surface slabs 10 to 18 inches in depth on very steep, lee slopes at upper elevations. Unsupported, hanging snowfields in cliff bands and extreme terrain should be avoided. At mid elevations people could trigger slides to a foot in depth on very steep, isolated north facing slopes. At low elevations the hazard is low as the snowpack is shallow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Weak layers at the base of the snowpack continue to be loaded by each storm. Strong triggers will likely be necessary to release a deep slab at those depths but resulting slides would be very dangerous.

Avalanche Discussion

A moist westerly flow will bring periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and strong winds to the mountains. New snow accumulations of six to 12 inches are expected by Wednesday night with the Teton, Snake River and the Salt River Ranges favored. Winds will be southwest to west at around 20 miles per hour. Temperatures will be mild with highs rising to near 30 in the mountains and a mix of rain and snow possible in the valleys.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations on Wednesday and LOW at the mid and lower elevations. The hazard will increase during the day as the new snow and wind build new soft slabs on leeward aspects and increase the load on persistent weak layers within the snowpack. The potential for humans to trigger surface slabs one to two feet in depth and for those slabs to step down to depths of three feet in isolated areas will increase as the day progresses. Conservative terrain choices are essential as the instabilities associated with these buried persistent weak layers can carry severe consequences.

Regions covered