Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Strong, sustained westerly winds overnight gusted into the 60s and formed winds slabs above 9,000 feet. Today, backcountry travelers may trigger slab avalanches at the upper elevations where the wind has drifted snow onto leeward slopes. The potential to trigger these slabs will increase during the warmest periods of the day. At the mid and lower elevations, the snowpack is mostly stable. There small, isolated pockets of wind slab may be found and as the day warms small wet loose avalanches are possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterday, winds increased in the late afternoon and continued through the night. These strong winds transported snow onto leeward slopes and formed winds slabs. At the upper elevations, skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches up to 2 feet in-depth and at the mid-elevations, there may be isolated pockets up to a foot in-depth. Increased temperatures and solar effects will cause these slabs to become more sensitive to triggers. Today, backcountry travelers should avoid wind loaded slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

Skies are expected to be mostly clear throughout the day. Temperatures will begin cold in the single digits to teens at all elevations. By the afternoon mountain temperatures should warm into the low to mid-30s and valleys into upper 30s to low 40s. Southwest to west winds are forecasted to be 10 to 20 miles per hour along upper elevation ridges. Below 10,500, the snowpack is mostly stable. Tomorrow the avalanche hazard will be Low in the morning and then increase with daily warming. Above 9,000 feet and in the afternoon, backcountry travelers could trigger wind slab avalanches up to 18 inches in-depth on leeward slopes. Light winds and solar warming may cause these slabs to be more sensitive to triggers. At all elevations, warming temperatures may cause small, wet, loose avalanches. The warming temperatures may also cause cornices to fail. On Togwotee Pass, the daily warming could result in wet slab avalanches in areas with a thin snowpack. Backcountry travelers should monitor slopes and seek shaded terrain as solar aspects become wet.

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