Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Since yesterday morning temperatures have cooled 5 to 10 degrees in the mountains and over 20 degrees in the valley. At the mid and upper elevations, skiers and riders entering avalanche terrain could trigger recently developed wind slabs with greatly varying depths. As the day progresses, daytime warming and abundant sunshine will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides. With this warming, the threat of wet slides could return in the afternoon at the mid and lower elevations. Don’t let clear skies and access to terrain that has been unavailable cloud your judgement. Cautious route finding and careful snowpack evaluation will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In the last week, the Tetons have received around 10 inches of snow water equivalent. Very strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds have accompanied this snowfall, and dense wind slabs have formed at the mid and upper elevations. These slides could be triggered on density breaks within the recent snowfall, or down to a graupel layer from last Friday. Faceted snow from January can also be found in some areas. This scenario results in slab depths ranging anywhere from six inches to four or five feet. Daytime warming will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides, and natural activity could become possible in the afternoon.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Cold overnight temperatures have greatly reduced the threat of wet slides, but warm, wet snow remains below frozen surfaces. As the day warms, skiers and riders might be able to trigger a wet slab at the mid and lower elevations. If surface crusts begin to break down, seek out cooler terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Skies will be mostly clear as a ridge of high pressure remains over the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will dip below zero by sunrise before rebounding to near freezing in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the north at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable on Monday. Backcountry travelers entering steep avalanche terrain could trigger wind slabs on a variety of aspects above 7,500 feet. These slabs could fail on density breaks within the recent snowfall or down to graupel layers that fell during the previous storm cycle. This scenario results in slab depths ranging anywhere from six inches to four or five feet. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure, especially on sunlit aspects. Afternoon warmth will also bring back the chance for wet slides, and cornice failures will become more likely as well. In the Togwotee Pass area, a chance lingers to trigger full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet.

Regions covered