Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At the mid and upper elevations, the chance continues for backcountry riders and skiers to trigger deep persistent slabs. If triggered, these dangerous slabs are likely to carry sever consequences. Careful terrain and snow pack evaluation is warranted. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Hard slabs with depths to five feet lie upon weak layers of snow near the base of the snowpack on all aspects. These slabs could fail to a larger load such as snowmachines and the chance continues for a single skier to trigger them by hitting a particularly weak shallow spot on a slope. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability.

Avalanche Discussion

Occasional light snow is possible overnight and Friday morning before tapering off Friday afternoon. Slightly colder air is also arriving with upper elevations expected to have highs in the upper teens to low twenties. Again light winds are expected. The avalanche danger is seeing little change which is typical when the avalanche concern involves a well developed and well distributed persistant weak layer. The hazard rating will be Moderate above 7500 feet where the chance continues for backcountry travelers to trigger hard slab avalanches that lie upon these deeply buried weaknesses. Larger triggers such as groups of people may be necessary to cause failure although the chance continues for a single person to trigger a slide, particularly in a shallow area where the weak layer is more easily affected. Avalanches are unlikely below 7500 although the structure is weak in those areas and may pose problems with future loading.

Regions covered