Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Recent snow combined with sustained westerly wind will create dangerous avalanche conditions on specific wind loaded terrain in the upper elevations. Look for signs of unstable wind drifted snow including cracking and “punchy” or hollow-sounding snow. Watch for snow surfaces becoming wet as warming temperatures will destabilize recent snow in the lower to middle elevations making small natural avalanches possible. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over 12” of snow in the last 48 hours combined with sustained moderate west/southwest wind 20-30 mph has formed wind slabs 1-2’ deep. These slabs will be likely to trigger on exposed wind loaded terrain in the upper elevations. Isolated wind slabs in the middle elevations are also possible. Look for signs of unstable snow on terrain typically loaded including leeward slopes off ridgelines and cross loaded terrain around rock features or large wind funnels such as canyons. Pay attention to changes in snow texture and hardness to help identify unstable wind drifted snow.

     

    (12/28/2024)

    Look for obvious signs of wind drifted snow such as cracking surfaces. 

    Photo: John Fitzgerald

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm temperatures will destabilize recent snow on lower to middle elevations slopes, especially areas that receive rain. Although these avalanches start small, they can entrain large amounts of snow and knock you off your feet. Look natural wet snow avalanches and pay attetnion to the snow becoming heavy, moist, or wet as a sign of destabilizing conditions. Watch for increased wet loose activity on southerly aspects if skies clear due to solar input. Even northerly aspects may destabilize with the onset of rain on snow. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak layers of faceted snow are buried 2-5’ deep. These weak layers have been loaded by 3-4” of snow water equivalent over the last two weeks. The likelihood of triggering a persistent slab is decreasing over time. However, it is still possible to find this problem in isolated terrain where the overlying slab is thin and easier to impact the weak layers triggering a large/destructive avalanche. Steep, complex terrain that is rocky, convex, or wind affected is where you are most likely to encounter thin and sensitive areas of the snowpack.

    (12/27/2024)

    The last human triggered avalanche that failed on persistent weak layers was Dec 27th. 

    Photo: Daniel Nagy

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last 48 hours both the west and east sides of the Tetons have received up to 16-19” of snow. This is a significant amount of snow that was accompanied by fairly sustained wind above 20 mph for the last two days. Conditions like this should raise your hackles, especially if you plan to travel into the upper elevations today. Careful snowpack evaluation is necessary to identify wind loaded slopes. In addition, warming temperatures will destabilize recent snow in the lower to middle elevations. The snow will destabilize quicker if areas receive rain. It is currently raining in the valleys and hopefully freezing levels will remain lower than the forecasted 8500-8900’.

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