Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions are still dangerous. In the mountains storm cycle totals since early Sunday morning are near 50 inches with over 4 inches of moisture. Yesterday the freezing level rose to around 7,500 feet and the lower elevations experienced a rain/snow mix. Several wet slides occurred in the river canyons last night. Temperatures are slightly cooler this moring. A cold front is forecast to pass through the region this afternoon. Natural avalanche activity is possible at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep avalanches prone slopes. Roof slides are possible. Expert snow stability and terrain evaluation skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Large slab avalanches formed by southwest winds are likely to be triggered by humans who venture into steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs could be 1 to 4 feet deep at the mid and upper elevations. Natural releases are possible, especially during the frontal passage. At the lower elevations small pockets of wind slab 6 to 18 inches in depth could be human triggered on steep terrain features.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Large to very large slab avalanches could fail on persistent weak layers. At the mid and upper elevations these slabs could be 2 to 6 feet deep. At the lower elevations these slabs could be wet and fail to the ground with depths to four feet.

Avalanche Discussion

Another cold front will move through the region tonight bringing another 3 to 6 inches of new snow to the higher elevations. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the low teens during the day. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable on Saturday. In steep wind loaded terrain, skiers and riders are likely to trigger recently developed wind slabs ranging in depth from one to three feet. Two types of persistent weak layers of faceted snow remain a concern. Buried layers of surface hoar and near surface facets can be found in the upper portion of the snowpack. Weak, basal facets also exist in terrain that had a shallow snowpack after the first of the year. Prime examples are lower elevations slopes and many areas in the Togwotee Pass forecast zone. These weak layers could fail directly by backcountry travelers or step down from the release of a wind slab. The resulting avalanches could range in depth from 2 to 6 feet and the deeper ones are likely unsurvivable. Don’t let abundant powder and the holiday weekend impair your judgement; conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain on Saturday.

Regions covered