Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous at the mid and upper elevations. Temperature inversions strengthened overnight, and the mountains are starting out between 10 and 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Yesterday, backcountry travelers triggered several slab avalanches ranging in depth from 20 to 36 inches. These slides occurred on northerly through easterly aspects with elevations ranging from 9,000 to 9,500 feet. Some were remotely triggered, and one required an organized rescue. Similar slides are likely today on a variety of aspects and elevations. As the day warms, these slabs will become easier to trigger, especially on sunlit aspects. Loose slides will also become more likely on solar aspects. Choose your terrain wisely, monitor temperatures and seek out shaded slopes when snow surfaces start to become damp.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Snowfall from the recent storm cycle resides upon weak, faceted snow. This scenario has resulted in numerous avalanches over the past several days. In steep avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could easily trigger persistent slabs ranging in depth from 2 to 4 feet. With the load that this storm cycle added to the snowpack, avalanche activity might also occur on faceted layers that developed earlier in the season resulting in very large, destructive slides. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers still have some potential to trigger persistent slabs up to 2 feet deep. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Clouds will increase during the day tomorrow, first as high clouds, then by lower and thicker clouds that will bring snow to the area Tuesday night. Southwest winds will pick up to averages near twenty miles per hour on summits. This wind will slowly drive out the inversion and high temperatures in the mid-twenties are expected at the higher elevations while valleys reach into the thirties. In the Tetons, the recently formed persistent slab problem remains, although the sensitivity of those slabs continues to decrease. The danger rating will be Considerable above 9000 feet where slabs are larger with depths to as much as four feet. At the mid and low elevations, human triggered slabs will also be possible tomorrow however maximum slab depths are more likely to be three and two feet, respectively. In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas, where the recent storm brought less accumulation, persistent slabs could be human triggered above 7500 feet. These slabs could have depths to three feet at Togwotee Pass and depths to four feet in the Southwest Trails area. The rating for those locations and elevations will be Moderate. Below 7500 avalanche hazard in those areas is limited to very isolated areas and the danger rating will be Low.

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