Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche 1 - 2 feet deep is possible in very steep terrain at middle and upper elevations. These avalanches are most likely on steep leeward aspects where previous winds deposited additional snow. Give yourself a safety margin around terrain traps and very steep, rocky, convex slopes today.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Lingering wind slabs 1- 2 feet thick exist on lee aspects at middle and upper elevations. These slabs will be isolated to very steep terrain, directly below exposed ridgelines, or in cross-loaded terrain features. There is a chance these slabs could break deeper than expected in areas around rocky unsupported slopes and convexities. Look for pillows, drifts, and cornices to identify where these slabs may have formed. 

    It’s unlikely you’ll trigger an avalanche that fails on deeper weak layers buried up to 3-4 feet. This problem exists at middle and upper elevations, where weak snow was buried during the first week of February. This layer can be found in pits and is still showing propagation in tests, but is deep and less likely to be impacted. While the likelihood is decreasing, the consequences of triggering a very large avalanche on this layer remain high. 

    Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate stability. The best way to manage this problem is to give yourself a safety margin around terrain traps and rocky, convex, very steep slopes today.

    (2/21/2025)

    A large natural avalanche was likely triggered around February 19th on the SE slope below Storm Point. 8200'

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The avalanche problem today will center around lingering wind slabs that formed during the previous storm. We just came out of a storm that just delivered 4-5 feet of snow in the Tetons. As skies cleared yesterday, we started to receive reports of larger avalanches across the forecast zone. These avalanches likely occurred near the end of the storm (February 18th or 19th). Based on this, I would expect to see smaller lingering slabs located in isolated terrain features today. These slabs will likely be stubborn, meaning they may not show signs of instability before breaking beneath you. I'd guess you're most likely to find these on very steep, rocky, convex slopes where the snowpack has little support. This also happens to line up with the terrain that riders tend to step out into during clearer weather, or decreased danger. 

Give yourself a safety margin today - especially around very steep slopes with rocky outcroppings and convexities. In periods of improving stability, it remains important to follow safe travel practices despite a lack of general avalanche activity. Travel one at a time in steep terrain, avoid stopping in the runout of avalanche terrain, and communicate with your partners throughout the day.

Dig around, take pictures, and let us know what you find out there - thanks!

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