Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible in the Tetons, especially in wind affected terrain at the mupper elevations. Recent low density snow and wouth west winds will compbine to form fresh wind slabs i nthe alpine that are reactive to human triggers. in consequential terrain dry loose avalanches could catch skiers an driders off guard. Look for buried weak layers on southerly aspects and pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Fresh WIND SLABS that are reactive to human triggering will b elocated near ridgelines and start zones in the lee of south westerly flow. These slabs will be mostly soft (4F) and generlaly have maximum depths of 1-2 feet. They could be deeper near Grand Targhee. 

    DRY LOOSE sloughs could run far and fast with all of the recent low density snow. 

    old stubborn WIND SLABS that are 1-2 feet thick linger in isloated terrain features on a variety of aspects in the alpine. 

    Shallow STORM SLABS sitting on top of a layer of well preserved stellars could break up to a foot deep in steep, sheltered terrain. 

     

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Fresh WIND SLABS that are reactive to human triggering will b elocated near ridgelines and start zones in the lee of south westerly flow. These slabs will be mostly soft (4F) and generlaly have maximum depths of 1-2 feet. They could be deeper near Grand Targhee. 

    DRY LOOSE sloughs could run far and fast with all of the recent low density snow. 

    old stubborn WIND SLABS that are 1-2 feet thick linger in isloated terrain features on a variety of aspects in the alpine. 

    Shallow STORM SLABS sitting on top of a layer of well preserved stellars could break up to a foot deep in steep, sheltered terrain. 

     

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The Feb 18 crust is located 40-70 cm down from the surface of the snow on the southern half of the compass. This layer is reacting in the moderate to hard range in stability tests and has shown a propensity to propagate a fracture, especially at the middle and lower elevations. 

    The jan 26 crust is located about 30cm below the Feb 18 crust and is considered dormant at this time. 

    When dealing with a persistent slab problem your best course of actioin is to dig a hole and use snowpack instability tests. Withe the Feb 18 layer being relatively close to the surface (especally a tthe middle elevations), you can utilize pole probes and hand shears to track the signature of the layer. 

    Lowland Buttes and Sagebrush Slopes: Tchnically many of these terrain features fall within the Teton Forecast Zone (as well as Snow King). Weak snowpack structure exists on most of these slopes and now they have enough snow covering them to produce sizeable avalnches that could bury/injur people. This is why the persistent slab problem is now located on all aspects at the lower elevations. Within the Tetons proper, persistent slabs are only and issue on teh southern half of the compass in relation to the Feb 18 layer. 

     

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The Feb 18 crust is located 40-70 cm down from the surface of the snow on the southern half of the compass. This layer is reacting in the moderate to hard range in stability tests and has shown a propensity to propagate a fracture, especially at the middle and lower elevations. 

    The jan 26 crust is located about 30cm below the Feb 18 crust and is considered dormant at this time. 

    When dealing with a persistent slab problem your best course of actioin is to dig a hole and use snowpack instability tests. Withe the Feb 18 layer being relatively close to the surface (especally a tthe middle elevations), you can utilize pole probes and hand shears to track the signature of the layer. 

    Lowland Buttes and Sagebrush Slopes: Tchnically many of these terrain features fall within the Teton Forecast Zone (as well as Snow King). Weak snowpack structure exists on most of these slopes and now they have enough snow covering them to produce sizeable avalnches that could bury/injur people. This is why the persistent slab problem is now located on all aspects at the lower elevations. Within the Tetons proper, persistent slabs are only and issue on teh southern half of the compass in relation to the Feb 18 layer. 

     

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