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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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Wind slabs formed over the last week could be easily triggered by riders or skiers at all elevations and all aspects today. Once triggered these slabs could cause the failure of persistent deep slabs that lie upon weak snow near the base of the snowpack. On Tuesday a snowboarder died in large avalanche with a three foot crown on the Pyramid which is located just to the south of Jensen Canyon. Known avalanche paths and their run out zones should be avoided and safer, low angle, conservative terrain should be the focus of backcountry travelers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Skiers and riders could easily trigger recently developed soft wind slabs on all aspects and elevations. At the higher elevations, these slabs could have depths to three feet. At the lower elevations, they lie upon faceted snow and could release up to 18 inches deep. Beware of any steep terrain with obvious areas of wind loading. The sensitivity of these slabs will increase today as they are weakened by warming temperatures and direct sunlight.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Above 7,500 feet, hard slabs with depths to six feet lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Since Wednesday night, approximately 5 inches of snow water equivalent have been added to the snowpack. Large triggers, such as groups of people or the release of a wind slab, may be needed to trigger one of these slides. If triggered, these slabs will carry severe consequences.

Avalanche Discussion

Broken skies are expected Friday morning with patchy valley fog. Later in the day, expect increasing clouds in advance of the next system to arrive Saturday. Mountain temperatures are to reach near thirty degrees and southwest winds are to have averages between ten and fifteen miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate throughout western Wyoming. Wind slabs could be triggered in steep terrain to depths of three feet. These slabs will be more sensitive to failure in the afternoon when they will be weakened by warm temperatures and periods of sunshine. Although these slabs are not as sensitive as they were earlier in the week, failure from a single skier or rider remains possible in wind loaded areas. The possibility to trigger deeper weaknesses in the snowpack persists. This chance remains highest in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Tetons and Southwest Trails areas, failure of these deep slabs is unlikely but remains possible, particularly to large triggers such as the movement of a surface slab avalanche.

Regions covered