Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at the upper elevations. Yesterday afternoon, the Tetons experienced a significant wind event which continued to build wind slabs in leeward terrain. Skiers and riders could trigger these small to large slabs in steep, wind loaded starting zones. At the mid elevations, where less transport occurred, smaller human triggered wind slabs will be possible. The release of one of these slabs could also initiate a large to very large deep persistent slab. Be on the lookout for unusual patterns of wind loading and avoid steep terrain with significant deposits of drifted snow, especially if surfaces are hard and drummy. Backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of wind slab in very steep terrain at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    On Saturday afternoon, the Summit wind station had southwesterly ridgetop winds ranging from 30 to 42 miles an hour for a six hour period, and gusts reached 66 miles per hour. This wind event scoured windward terrain and continued to form dense wind slabs on leeward slopes. These slabs reside above a variety of old snow surfaces which include surface hoar, near surface facets and sun crusts. On steep, wind loaded slopes at the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger these slabs to depths of one to three feet. Some potential may remain for skiers and riders to trigger similar slides up to 18 inches deep at the lower elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders may still be able to trigger persistent deep slabs ranging in depth from three to five feet. These dangerous avalanches are more susceptible to failure on northwesterly through northeasterly aspects above 8,500 feet and could step down from the release of a wind slab. Being caught in one of these slides could easily result in a fatality.

Avalanche Discussion

Skies will remain cloudy with periods of light to moderate snowfall. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and in the teens and 20's in the valleys. Westerly winds are forecast to increase to 20 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts.At the higher elevations skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers could trigger wind slab avalanches in steep wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs could be 1 to 3 feet deep and have been formed by southwest to west winds. Humans could also trigger deep persistent slabs up to 5 feet deep on a basal layer of faceted snow. Triggering one of these dangerous slab avalanches is likely to result in severe consequences. At the lower elevations shallow pockets of wind slab could be human triggered on isolated terrain features. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate above an elevation of 7,500 feet and low below that elevation.

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