Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Humans could trigger slab avalanches today. Strong winds have created new soft slabs on recently faceted snow surfaces. Larger slab avalanches could fail on a deeper layer of faceted snow. A careful evaluation of the snowpack and conservative terrain choices are warranted. The assessment of the hazard associated with buried faceted layers can be problematic. Be aware of other groups of skiers and riders who may be above or below your party. Don't let sunny skies and new snow impact your terrain selection decisions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Soft surface slabs formed by southwest to northwest winds could be triggered by humans today on a variety of aspects. At the mid and upper elevations these slabs could be up to two feet in depth. At the lower elevations smaller slab avalanches up to a foot in depth could be triggered on very steep slopes. These slabs are especially dangerous above cliff areas and terrain traps. Snow depths are still shallow and the consequences of being caught in an avalanche are more severe due to rocks and other obstacles.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Larger slab avalanches could be triggered on a persistent weak layer that formed in November. These slab avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a person or be triggered by the release of a surface slab with depths to three feet.

Avalanche Discussion

Conditions will be dry as high pressure builds in from the west. Temperature inversions will develop and result in warmer mountain top temperatures. Overnight lows will drop into the single digits in the mountains and to near zero in the valleys. Daytime highs will rise into the mid-20s at all elevations. Winds will back towards the south and be light at 5 to 15 miles per hour.At the mid and upper elevations buried layers of faceted snow exist in our snowpack. One was formed in early December and another was formed in mid-November and is therefore more deeply buried. These persistent weak layers have been the failure plane for slab avalanches. Humans who venture onto steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes could trigger slab avalanches that involve the recent new snow on the early December layer. These surface slabs could be up to two feet deep. Larger slab avalanches with depths to 3 feet could be triggered on the deeper layer. At the lower elevations (below 7,500 feet) the recent new snow accumulated upon a shallow faceted snowpack. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Friday at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

Regions covered