Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is Low at the mid and upper elevations. Low hazard does not mean no hazard exists.  In isolated areas, an avalanche could still occur. Avoid extreme terrain or areas near cliffs or rock bands where weaknesses persist.  Low elevations lack sufficient depths for avalanche concerns. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak snow formed during a dry period in November lies buried one to three feet below the surface of the snowpack. Although conditions have evolved to a point that triggering a slab avalanche involving this layer is very unlikely, it is not impossible. If venturing into very steep terrain, examining the snowpack layering will help to determine if that area remains susceptible to failure. Sticking to low to mid-angle slopes is the easiest way to avoid any lingering hazard. 

    An old avalanche from 12/8 on the east face of Taylor Mountain.

    This is a great example of "steep, unsupported terrain".

Avalanche Discussion

Time, settlement, several days with above freezing afternoon temperatures, and the lack of appreciable new snow have lowered the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. Although the weak layer that was responsible for an active avalanche cycle in early December remains well preserved in the snowpack, it has simply become very unlikely to trigger a slide involving it.  The last avalanche reported involving this layer occurred on December 11. The weak snow can still be identified in snow pit diagrams that are submitted on the observation section of the website.  Although the weakness is prevalent on many aspects above 8500, the snowpack is now mostly stable and the chance for avalanche events is limited to isolated terrain features.The longer the current dry period goes on, the more the current snow surfaces will weaken. Although crusts will continue to harden on south facing terrain, near surface faceting is occurring on other aspects. Surface hoar can be found in many areas and at varying elevations. 

Regions covered