Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Skiers and riders might be able to trigger small pockets of dense wind slab on very steep, northerly slopes between 9,000 and 10,500 feet. These slides have the potential to cause serious harm if they carry people into exposed rocky areas, over cliff bands or into terrain traps. Normal caution is advised. The hazard is likely higher above 10,500 feet, and up there the snowpack should be evaluated carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Very strong southwesterly to northwesterly ridgetop winds, with hourly averages up to 40 miles per hour, transported limited available snow onto leeward slopes and stiffened wind slabs. Snowfall from October persisted on very steep, northwest to northeast facing slopes above 9,000 feet where hard crusts formed. These crusts, along with permanent snow fields and glaciers, provide good sliding surfaces, and backcountry travelers might be able to trigger wind slabs 6 to 18 inches deep in areas where they are present beneath the recent snowfall.

Avalanche Discussion

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region beginning 5 AM on Sunday and continuing through 5 AM on Monday. A potent storm system is expected to bring up to a foot of new snow to the mountains by Sunday evening. Light snowfall will develop after midnight before moderate to heavy snowfall occurs during the day. Strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 20 degrees before rising a few degrees during the day. Above 9,000 feet in the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard could increase to Moderate during the day if forecasted snowfall and wind occur. In leeward terrain, new wind slabs will build upon the crusts that formed on Friday. On steep, wind loaded slopes, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs which could reach depths of 12 to 18 inches by Sunday evening. Crusts that formed on high, northerly aspects from early October snow still provide a potential sliding surface, which would increase the depth and volume of the resulting avalanche. Similar conditions will also increase the hazard in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones above 9,000 feet, but with shallower snow depths at the beginning of the storm and lighter forecasted snowfall, the hazard is expected to be Low throughout the day.Don’t let the excitement of early season snow cloud your judgement. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and be cognizant of the terrain below; even small slides can result in season ending injuries if skiers or riders are swept into bare, rocky slopes.

Regions covered