Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

More new snow and strong northwest winds have kept conditions dangerous at the upper elevations. Large human triggered avalanches are likely on steep avalanche prone slopes at the upper elevations and are possible on avalanche prone slopes at the mid and lower elevations. A careful evaluation of the snowpack and terrain is warranted.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    At the higher elevations stronger northwest winds during the past 24 hours have likely increased the development of wind slabs. Earlier slab formation was caused by southwest to west winds. At the higher elevations large slab avalanches could be human triggered on density breaks and firm wind-packed snow surfaces. At the mid and lower elevations soft slab avalanches could be triggered on density breaks, wind-pack, sun crust or faceted snow layers. These slabs could be 1 to 3 feet deep.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Some potential remains for persistent slab avalanches to be human triggered at the lower elevations and in areas at the mid elevations where the snow depths are shallower. These persistent slabs are likely to range in depth from 2 to 4 feet, and could also be triggered by the release of a wind slab.

Avalanche Discussion

Overnight, there is a chance for bands of snow in an unsettled northwest flow to cross over Western Wyoming. Then by morning, a transitory ridge is expected to build over the region and bring mostly dry weather for up to twenty-four hours. Mountain temperatures are expected to be cold in the single digits and then warm into the mid to upper teens. Winds will back to the west at fifteen to twenty-five miles per hour. After the past week's significant loading event, it will take time for the snowpack to adjust and become more stable. In the Grey’s River and Togwotee Pass forecast areas, dangerous avalanche conditions remain a concern, and the avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable tomorrow. Riders and skiers could trigger unsurvivable slab avalanches 3 to 6 feet in-depth as well as smaller wind slab avalanches and dangerous sluffs on steep avalanche terrain. Keep in mind, triggering a smaller slab could initiate the failure of a very large avalanche. In the Teton forecast area, where the snowpack is less unstable than the other forecast areas, there is the potential for backcountry travelers to trigger slab avalanches one to four feet in-depth at all elevations, and the hazard will remain Considerable at the upper elevations and Moderate at the mid and lower elevations. It is essential for all backcountry travelers to carefully evaluate the snowpack and choose conservative terrain as conditions adjust.

Regions covered