Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous at the mid and upper elevations. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Involvement in one of these slides could easily have fatal results. As the basal weak layers slowly gain strength, it is easier to get farther out onto a slope before failure occurs. This scenario increases the likelihood of being captured in one of these dangerous avalanches. Slopes with previous tracks are also suspect; preceding riders may have simply missed hitting a trigger point. Don’t let blue skies and the weekend impair your judgement; cautious route finding and conservative terrain choices will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Avalanche activity at the lower elevations is unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Persistent weak layers of faceted snow are present near the base of the snowpack in terrain that held snow prior to Thanksgiving. This terrain generally includes all aspects above 9,000 feet and west through north to east facing slopes between 8,000 and 9,000 feet. In these areas, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches with depths of two to four feet. This is a good time to dig pits to the ground in order to find out if a slope is underlain by these weak, faceted layers. However, do not be tempted to use high stability tests scores as an excuse to ski a slope if these basal weak layers are found.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies as southwesterly flow aloft brings some high-level moisture over the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper teens before rising to near 30 during the day. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable above 8,000 feet in the Teton and Southwest Trails forecast zones on Sunday. While the likelihood of triggering large persistent slab avalanches is decreasing, the consequences remain the same. Being caught in one of these slides could easily result in a fatality. As the basal weak layers continue to get stronger, backcountry travelers can get farther out onto a slope before triggering one of these slabs, and this scenario increases the likelihood of being captured. Patience is key with a persistent slab avalanche problem. If you choose to ski or snowmobile in terrain where these basal weak layers are present, you are rolling the dice. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low below 8,000 feet, and avalanches are unlikely there.On Togwotee Pass, where the prior week’s loading event was significantly less, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. While the hazard rating is dropping, avalanche conditions are only slightly less dangerous than on Saturday, and triggering a high consequence avalanche is still possible.

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