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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday, a skier was able ski cut a recently formed wind slab on a southeasterly aspect of the South Teton at an elevation of 12,200 feet. At the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers might be able trigger similar pockets of wind slab on very steep, wind-loaded slopes. As the day progresses, shallow wet slides involving the new snow will also become possible at the lower elevations where temperatures will rise well above freezing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds on Monday created wind slabs in exposed terrain at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are settling and bonding well to old snow surfaces. In very steep terrain, skier and riders might be able to trigger these slabs with depths of six to eighteen inches. On sunlit aspects sheltered from the wind, these slabs may become more likely to release as the day warms.

Avalanche Discussion

Cloud cover will increase tonight as a cold front moves through, which will bring a slight chance for isolated snow showers. After frontal passage, cloud cover will decrease and westerly ridgetop winds will back off to 5 to 15 miles per hour by Friday morning. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 before rising into the low 20s during the day.The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons is expected to be LOW on Friday. In very steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger isolated pockets of wind slab six to eighteen inches in depth. In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast zones, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. There, similar isolated pockets of wind slab exist. In isolated areas, some potential may remain for skiers and riders to trigger hard slab avalanches failing on faceted snow deep within the snowpack. Multiple snowmobiles on the same slope are the most likely scenario to trigger these dangerous slabs, which could have depths in excess of six feet.

Regions covered