Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 9,000 feet, and TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Avalanche conditions are dangerous below 9,000 feet, and excellent route-finding skills and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Both human triggered and natural avalanche activity, in the form of large to very large wind slabs and persistent slabs, is likely today. These slides could easily have fatal consequences, and they have the potential to run full track into low elevation terrain. Tragically, four skiers were killed yesterday in an avalanche in Mill Creek Canyon outside of Salt Lake City, which brings a total of 13 U.S. fatalities since the beginning of February. Don’t let yourself become a statistic.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Since early Wednesday morning, the Tetons have received between 3 and 4 1/2 feet of new snow. In the past 36 hours, southwesterly to northwesterly ridgetop winds ramped up with hourly averages between 25 and 40 miles per hour. This scenario has resulted in heavily loaded leeward slopes, stiffened wind slabs and upside-down conditions. On a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations, skiers and riders could very easily trigger these slabs with depths ranging from 2 to 4 feet. Natural activity could also occur. At the lower elevations, pockets of wind slab between 1 and 3 feet could be human triggered on steep, wind-loaded slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    On a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations, between 2 1/2 and 4 inches of snow water equivalent has been added to persistent weak layers since early Wednesday morning. Avalanche activity associated with these weak layers are likely to range in depth from 3 to 6 feet, and they could occur naturally, be human triggered or step down from the release of a wind slab. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger similar slabs between 2 and 4 feet.

Avalanche Discussion

The northwesterly jet stream will continue to reside over the region. After a few lingering showers overnight, expect mostly cloudy skies during the day on Monday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the lower single digits before rising to near 10 degrees in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 35 miles per hour.Avalanche conditions remain dangerous, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable on Monday. In the mountains, skiers and riders could easily trigger large to very large wind slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. With the load that the recent storm cycle added to the snowpack, very large persistent slab avalanches remain a concern. While a skier or rider could trigger these deadly slabs, the more likely scenario will be for them to step down from the release of a wind slab. Both types of avalanches have the potential to travel long distances into low elevation terrain. Expert route-finding skills and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Regions covered