Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The higher elevations have received 8 to 11 inches of dense new snow with over an inch of moisture. Heavy rain fell yesterday morning below an elevation of 9,000 feet. At the upper elevations slab avalanches could be triggered by skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche starting zones. On very steep slopes loose snow sloughs involving the new snow could be triggered by humans or release naturally if the sun appears. Wet snow avalanche hazards persist below an elevation of 8,000 feet. Evaluate terrain and conditions carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    At the upper elevations strong southwest to west winds have formed dense wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs could be up to two feet deep and could be triggered by the weight of a single person with significant consequences. Periods of sunshine or additional loading by strengthening northerly winds could increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. In areas which have not experienced enough wind to create slabs new snow sloughs are possible on very steep terrain features, like steep chutes and couloirs.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    The snowpack below an elevation of 8,000 feet is still wet and unconsolidated. Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are possible on steep terrain features and could gouge down to the ground. Areas with wet snow avalanche hazards may also be present on steep slopes between the elevations of 8,000 to 9,000 feet. .

Avalanche Discussion

The latest storm system is moving from the central Rockies into the plains. Snow showers over the mountains of western WY will continue to decrease and eventually diminish by midnight, bringing minimal accumulation. Gusty northerly flow should continue through about 9 pm. Skies may become partly cloudy Thursday morning, before more clouds and northwest flow move back in Thursday afternoon ahead of a weak weather system. Moist unstable northwest flow should produce decent snow showers over the mountains on Thursday afternoon and evening, with the Tetons and Togwotee Pass areas likely receiving more snow accumulation. Temperatures on Thursday will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and in the 20s and 30s in the valleys. At the upper elevations southwest to west and then north to northwest winds have created dense wind slabs on leeward aspects. On most aspects these wind slabs have formed upon hard old snow surfaces. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person on steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes. Periods of sunshine could increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers and may initiate the natural release of loose snow sloughs on very steep slopes. Cold overnight temperatures are expected to further decrease the wet snow avalanche hazard. The general avalanche hazard is expected be moderate at the upper elevations and low at the mid and lower elevations.

Regions covered