Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Abundant sunshine and warm temperatures will increase the wet snow avalanche hazard and create dangerous conditions on and beneath steep avalanche prone slopes. As the day warms at the upper elevations the potential for large to very large slab avalanches to be human triggered or release naturally will increase. Warming conditions will also be increasing the potential for wet loose avalanches to occur on very steep slopes on a variety of aspects. In the central Teton Range very large slab avalanches could plunge into the canyons. The hazard at the upper elevations will be moderate in the early morning hours and will increase to considerable. The hazard at the mid elevations will be low in the early morning hours and will increase to considerable. The hazard at the lower elevations will be low in the morning and will increase to moderate in the afternoon. Monitor conditions at all elevations for a rapid increase in the wet snow avalanche hazard and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Large to very large wet slab avalanches are likely at the upper elevations and could impact mid elevation terrain. These slabs could be one to three feet deep and may be significantly deeper above an elevation of 10,500 feet at the highest elevations of the central Teton Range. Smaller wet loose slides are also likely on very steep terrain features. These wet slides may gouge down to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.

Avalanche Discussion

Skies will be mostly clear overnight and through the day on Friday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-20s before climbing into the mid-40s in the afternoon. The valleys will drop to near freezing tonight before rising to near 60 during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Expect mostly stable conditions in the early morning hours after below freezing temperatures and clear skies form crusts overnight. The general avalanche hazard will quickly rise to Considerable above 7,500 feet as the crusts break down and snow surfaces become saturated. Once this happens, naturally releasing wet loose slides and large to very large wet slabs will become likely. Get a very early start, be prepared for a rapid increase in the wet snow avalanche hazard, and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable. While the snowpack below 7,500 feet has undergone numerous melt freeze cycles, wet slides will still be possible where the snowpack still exists.

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