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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions lurk at the mid and upper elevations. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger persistent deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth on a variety of aspects. Backcountry travelers might also be able to trigger a recently developed pocket of shallow soft slab in very steep, leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines. These small slides could step down and release a persistent deep slab below. Don’t let blue skies impair your judgement. Managing your terrain with a conservative approach will continue to be the safest and easiest way to avoid being caught in a large to very large, destructive avalanche. At the lower elevations, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    While the likelihood of triggering persistent deep slabs failing on the December drought layer continues to decrease, the consequences remain high with severe injury or death being a likely outcome of getting caught. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these avalanches, but the weight of a single person could still release one of these dangerous slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered.

Avalanche Discussion

Cloud cover will increase overnight as the leading edge of a Pacific disturbance begins to move into the region. Light to moderate intensity snowfall will begin to develop Monday morning and continue throughout the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 5 to 15 miles per hour.While the likelihood of triggering persistent deep slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught still warrant CONSIDERABLE hazard above 7,500 feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these slabs, but the weight of a single person could still trigger one of these two to five feet deep slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered. With light winds and low density snowfall forecasted, significant new wind slab production is not expected. However, if new slab development does occur, which would most likely be in leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines, failure of these new slabs could result in triggering a persistent deep slab underneath. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain.

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