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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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at the mid and upper elevations. At all elevations over the last few days, skiers and riders have triggered numerous small to large soft slabs involving the recent snowfall. Some of these events were remotely triggered, and likely failed on faceted snow that was buried at the start of the storm cycle Wednesday morning. Other slides have failed on density breaks within the storm cycle. Similar slides, along with loose snow sluffs, will be likely today. As the day warms, avalanche activity will become more likely, especially on sunlit aspects when the new snow gets impacted by the sun for the first time, and natural activity could develop on solar aspects. Monitor temperatures and the influence of the sun, and transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become damp.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Since Wednesday, the Tetons have received 20 to 40 inches of new snow containing 1.5 to 2.5 inches of snow water equivalent. Surface hoar and near surface facets were buried at the beginning of the storm cycle, and skiers and riders are likely to trigger persistent slab avalanches failing on these layers on a variety of aspects and elevations. These slabs are likely to range in depth from 2 to 4 feet at the mid and upper elevations, and they could entrain significant amounts of snow in long, sustained couloirs. With the load that this storm cycle added to the snowpack, avalanche activity might also occur on faceted layers that developed earlier in the season resulting in very large, destructive avalanches. At the lower elevations, slab depths could be up to 2 feet deep. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect mostly clear skies tonight followed by some cloud cover during the day as limited Pacific moisture rides up the trailing edge of the ridge of high pressure residing over the area. Temperature inversions will strengthen overnight with mountain lows in the mid-teens. The valleys will start out around 10 degrees cooler, and afternoon highs at all elevations will climb to around 30 degrees. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard in the Tetons is expected to remain Considerable on Monday. Skiers and riders could easily trigger large to very large persistent slab avalanches failing on faceted snow that was buried at the beginning of the last storm cycle. Some potential may remain for skiers and riders to trigger deeper slabs on faceted snow that developed earlier in the season. Warming temperatures and sunshine will make these slabs more prone to human triggers as the day progresses.Moderate hazard is expected to continue in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones. On a variety of aspects above 7,500 feet, the primary concern will be large to very large, human triggered persistent slab avalanches. In the Southwest Trails forecast zone, avalanche activity just involving the recent snowfall will also be possible.

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