Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Strong winds are rapidly loading avalanche starting zones and creating dangerous avalanche conditions. Increasing winds, heavy snowfall and rising air temperatures will result in unstable conditions on steep slopes. Warmer snow will be falling on top of colder snow that is not expected to bond well to crusts and hard wind-packed snow surfaces. Large slab avalanches are likely to become easily triggered by humans. Natural releases may become likely and may impact local roadways. The Wyoming Department of Transportation is scheduled to close Teton Pass at 2 pm for avalanche hazard mitigation efforts. No parking will be allowed today on the road between the Idaho state line and Wilson. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of high avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    At the upper elevations large to very large slab avalanches are very likely to be human triggered and likely to release naturally. Similar conditions are expected to develop at the mid elevations by afternoon. As the day progresses at the lower elevations slab avalanches will gain depth and volume. In the afternoon these slabs could be human triggered and have potential to release naturally in active avalanche paths. These slabs may grow to depths of thee feet at the upper elevations and to depths of 18 inches at the lower elevations. Large to very large slab avalanches that release at the higher elevations may run long distances and have some potential to step down 4 to 8 feet to deep buried layers of faceted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

As the northwest flow continues over the region, pulses of moderate to heavy snowfall will bring another 8 to 20 inches to the mountains by Friday evening. Three to 7 inches are expected at the lower elevations. This snowfall will continue to favor the western portion of our forecasted region. Westerly winds will continue at 25 to 35 with gusts to 50 miles per hour. In the mountains, temperatures will be in the teens overnight and rise into the mid to upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures will be in the 20’s tonight and are expected to rise into the 30s during the day. Strong winds and new snow have created very dangerous avalanche conditions at the higher elevations. As these stormy conditions continue through the next 24 hours, the avalanche hazard will remain high. Large to very large avalanches with depths 2 to 4 feet in depth are likely to release naturally or be easily triggered by humans. These slides could step down to deeply buried layers of faceted snow with depths from 4 to 8 feet and could run full path into lower elevation avalanche runout zones. Tomorrow, travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Regions covered