Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise today with increased snowfall and wind. It will be possible to trigger a large avalanche 2-4 feet deep in steep wind loaded terrain at upper elevations. Watch for dense, drifting snow and shooting cracks. Small avalanches could knock you off your feet in consequential terrain or step down to deeper layers.  Use conservative decision making around steep upper elevation slopes.

A skier was caught and partially buried yesterday in wind affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow was buried 2-3 feet below a cohesive slab of snow that accumulated last week. This problem exists at mid and upper elevations. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in steep, wind loaded terrain on west through north through east aspects. Watch out for rocky areas, cliffs and thin convexities where you will more easily impact the weak layer. Dig down and assess stability where you are riding. You may or may not see clues like collapsing before triggering an avalanche.  Tracks on a slope are not a definitive indicator of stability. When in doubt or if you want to play it safe, choose lower angle terrain.

    A skier triggered avalanche that occurred two days ago (2/10) on the west side of the Tetons.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Up to 5 inches of new snow at upper elevations and moderate west winds have started to build sensitive wind slabs up to a foot thick.  You will find this problem on exposed ridges and wind affected terrain. Look for pillows, drifts and feel for denser snow as you travel through upper elevation , exposed terrain. Wind slabs will continue to build today with new snow and wind. These slabs could be large enough to knock you off your feet in consequential terrain and have the potential to step down to the most recent weak layer. Avoid leeward aspects and travel in sheltered terrain.

     

    (2/12/2024)

    Cracking in upper-elevation, wind-loaded terrain, a clear sign of unstable snow conditions. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow from December was buried on January 4th. This weak layer is 3-5 feet deep and exists at middle and upper elevations. Without a very large trigger, this layer has remained dormant for some time now. The exception was three days ago when a large avalanche triggered in wind loaded terrain on the February 2nd persistent layer stepped down to the January 4th layer. This was a LARGE trigger and is an example of the force that it currently takes to see activity on this deeper layer. Although unlikely, the problem is most likely found on the north half of the compass.

    An avalanche on the north side of Rendezvous that stepped down to the 1/4 layer.

Avalanche Discussion

The number one problem remains the persistent slab. The February 2nd interface is currently buried 2-3 feet. Avalanche observations are trending downward but we continue to see observations trickling in that indicate it is still active. WIth the incoming storms, the snowpack could be loaded with an additional 1.5 to 2 inches of water by the end of the week. Continue to dig down and investigate the snow beneath you and choose conservative terrain as the snowpack adjusts. 

Steep, rocky, wind affected terrain on the north half of the compass remains suspect.

Regions covered