Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

At the mid and upper elevations, weak snow grains lie at the base of the snowpack under a dense slab of snow. Over the past several days, mountain temperatures have only fluctuated about 10 degrees and highs have been above or near freezing. These conditions along with no additional loading in over a week have helped stabilize the snowpack and decreased the likelihood of a person triggering a very large avalanche. The consequences of being involved in an avalanche on these layers still remain high and would most likely be unsurvivable. Good techniques of traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain and carrying rescue equipment will help manage one’s exposure. At the lower elevations, where the hazard is Low, avalanches are unlikely and would be small on steep isolated terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers that began being buried on December 5th are now 3 to 8 feet below the snow’s surface. It will take a large trigger or crossing a thin spot in the slab to release an avalanche and will most likely be on steep, unsupported slopes. Although the chances of triggering a large to very large avalanche are unlikely, it is NOT impossible, and while slopes may feel stable, it is important to remember the significant avalanche cycle that occurred on these weak layers just one week ago.

Avalanche Discussion

High pressure conditions continue overnight. Temperatures will drop to around zero under clear skies in the valley bottoms with teens at higher elevations. Clouds will begin to build tomorrow afternoon in advance of a weak system which will bring little relief from the drought. Expect temperatures once again in the twenties tomorrow with light westerly winds.The slab overlying the basal weak layers have gained a lot of strength over the past week making it very unlikely to trigger this weak layer. The lack of recent avalanches is encouraging but the weak layers remain a concern that is best managed by practicing good travel techniques in steep terrain. Hard slabs can propagate cracks a long distance so triggering a thin spot could potentially create a thick slab avalanche, most likely from steep, unsupported and rocky terrain. The danger rating at upper elevations around 9,000’ or so will remain Moderate due to the unlikely potential of triggering one of these slabs.

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