Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today, very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The two day snowfall totals have been up to 3 feet with over 2 inches of moisture. During this storm cycle, avalanches have impacted highways on Tetons Pass and in the Snake River Canyon. Very large avalanches are likely and could run full path into the lower elevation runout zones. These dangerous slides could release naturally or be human triggered. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to rapidly load steep slopes. These wind slab avalanches could have depths of 2 to 5 feet on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. There still remains some potential for avalanches to step down 4 to 8 feet to deep buried layers of faceted snow. Hazards at the lower elevation included pockets of wind slab up to 2 feet in depth and the potential for very large slides to come from above.

Avalanche Discussion

Tonight and into tomorrow, a fast-moving system will approach from the west. Light to moderate snowfall will continue with 6 to 12 inches in the mountains and 2 to 4 in the valleys. More importantly, this system will be accompanied by strong southwest winds. These winds are forecasted to be 30 to 60 miles per hour and valleys could see gusts in the 20s. Mountain temperatures will be in the teens to 20s and valleys will climb into the 30s.Strong winds tomorrow morning will create areas of blowing snow. This drifting will rapidly load steep slopes and prolong the very dangerous avalanche hazard. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be high. Large to very large slab avalanches are likely to release naturally and be easily triggered by humans. These dangerous slab avalanches could have depths of 3 to 5 feet and may run long distances into lower elevation terrain. The potential still exists for slab avalanches to step down into old layers of weak snow. These destructive slides would be very large with depths of 4 to 8 feet. Tomorrow, travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Regions covered