Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche danger is Moderate today. Warm temperatures over the last several days and nights have weakened the snowpack. Wet loose avalanches are possible in steep terrain at all elevations. Though less likely, wet and dry slabs failing on persistent weak layers buried 1-3 feet deep cannot be ruled out. Pay attention to snow surfaces and move out of steep terrain when encountering weak and wet snow today.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm days and non-freezing nights over the last 3.5 days have weakened the snowpack. Temperatures dipped below freezing for a few hours last night and will climb back above freezing today, especially in the mid and lower elevations. Light rain will fall in the lower elevations, loosening snow surfaces and allowing for the possibility of skiers and riders to trigger wet loose avalanches. Pay attention to surfaces as they become less supportable with daytime heating.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Weak layers buried 1-3 feet deep below slabs remain a concern. Multiple days of non-freezing have weakened both the slabs and the underlying weak layers. Given the extent and duration of recent warming, it is prudent to give this weak snow time to regain strength. While triggering is trending towards unlikely today, it will be important to avoid being on steep slopes with weak surface snow. These slabs may fail as wet or dry slabs. With temperatures cooling later in the day, encountering this problem will become less likely.

Avalanche Discussion

Overnight, skies will clear and tomorrow will be mostly clear with passing clouds. Temperatures will drop below freezing tonight at all elevations. Tomorrow temperatures will rise into the high twenties to low thirties between 8,000-9,000 feet. Winds will remain out of the north northwest averaging in the upper teens.The snowpack will stabilize as freezing temperatures lock up the wet snow. As this happens the avalanche danger will reduce to Low across the three forecast areas. Above 9,000ft buried persistent weak layers remain on the colder, northerly half of the compass. The warmup over the last four days has tested these layers with percolating free water. Incoming freezing temperatures will help stabilize these layers making the likelihood of triggering very unlikely. Steep, cold aspects at upper elevations that were not heavily temperature affected may still harbor dry persistent layers. Careful assessment of these layers should be made before committing to a slope. Direct sun and temperatures near freezing will soften surface snow throughout the day. As conditions soften, be aware of loose wet sluffs. These slides are expected to be small but could be dangerous in committing terrain.

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