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

A Winter Storm Warning and an Avalanche Warning are both in effect; very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Temperatures have steadily warmed since midnight on Friday, and they are starting out 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. The combination of strong winds, abundant snowfall, ample snow available for transport and warming temperatures is the perfect recipe for avalanches. Skiers and riders entering steep, avalanche terrain will be very likely to trigger large loose snow sluffs and wind slabs. Natural activity will also be likely. The chance of triggering very large deep persistent slab avalanches will slowly be on the rise. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of high avalanche hazard. Great skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. Keep a close eye on your skiing and riding partners, even in non-avalanche terrain; snow immersion will also be a threat today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to three feet of snow has been rapidly loaded to the snowpack since Saturday, and more is on the way. Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds and increasing temperatures have accompanied this snowfall, and upside-down conditions have developed. Wind slabs up to four feet deep will be very easily triggered on steep slopes, and natural activity is likely. These slides have the potential of traveling long distances and entraining significant amounts of snow. Long, sustained couloirs should strictly be avoided.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Two to two and a half inches of snow water equivalent has been added to persistent weak layers of faceted snow deep in the snowpack. At the mid and upper elevations, the potential of triggering deep persistent slabs with depths of four to eight feet will slowly be on the rise today. These slabs might release naturally, and could step down from avalanches involving the new snow. Similar slabs with depths of two to four feet will be possible at the lower elevations.

Avalanche Discussion

Steady moderate to heavy snowfall is forecast to continue through Tuesday. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour are expected tonight. New snowfall totals for the next 24 hours are forecast to be as much as 2 feet in the mountains and a foot in the valleys. This snow will be denser than it has been so far during this storm cycle. Temperatures on Tuesday will rise into the mid-20s at 10,000 feet and into the mid to upper 30s in the valleys. Strong southwest to west winds at 25 to 35 with gusts to 55 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall.An avalanche warning is in effect until 6 AM tomorrow morning for the Teton Range and Yellowstone National Park. If the weather forecast verifies that avalanche warning will be extended. An avalanche watch is in effect for the remaining areas in our forecast region. If the weather forecast verified that avalanche watch will be upgraded to an avalanche warning by 6 AM tomorrow morning. Avalanche conditions are expected to be very dangerous at all elevations in all of our forecast areas on Tuesday. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be high and may rise to extreme in the Teton forecast area. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of high avalanche hazard. Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of extreme hazard. Large to very large natural avalanche activity is likely and could become widespread. Impacts to roadways are likely. Impacts to urban areas are possible, especially during the warmest portion of the day.

Regions covered