Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At the mid and upper elevations, skiers and riders could trigger large slab avalanches. If these avalanches occur, they will fail on weak, persistent faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. The potential for large avalanches to occur on this persistent layer warrants conservative terrain choices. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Large persistent slab avalanches two to four feet in depth can be human triggered on steep slopes. These slabs lie on west through north to east facing terrain at 8,000 feet. As the elevation increases, the weak snow layer has greater distribution and can be found on southeast through north to southwest aspects. Although these slabs are becoming harder to trigger, hazardous conditions still exist. The release of these slides could be unpredictable, occur without warning, and be triggered on avalanche paths with previous tracks.

Avalanche Discussion

An upper level trough will move out to the east, and northerly flow aloft will develop by Saturday evening. Low level clouds could form overnight with mostly clear skies above. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be near zero before climbing to around 10 degrees during the day. Northwesterly to northerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.On Saturday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet. In steep terrain up there, skiers and riders could trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from two to four feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or groups of people, may be more likely to impact these deeply buried weak layers. Don’t be tempted to assume a slope is stable if previous tracks are present. A conservative approach to terrain management will be the easiest way to safely travel in the mountains on Saturday. Below 8,000 feet, mostly stable snow exists, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Low.

Regions covered