Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago.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

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and High avalanche hazard could develop in the afternoon. Temperatures are also starting out 10 to 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. At the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers choosing to enter steep avalanche terrain are likely to trigger small to large wind slabs, and natural activity is possible. Some potential exists for large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches. Plenty of great skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. If you decide to travel in avalanche terrain today, expert snowpack and route finding skills will be required. Monitor the amount of new snow and be willing to alter your travel plans if high rates of loading occur throughout the day. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger small pockets of wind slab on steep, wind loaded terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders entering steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain could easily trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to four feet. Natural activity could also occur. These slabs are failing on old snow surfaces from the end of 2019 and on density breaks within the snowfall from the last storm cycle. They will also become more susceptible to failure throughout the day as new snow accumulates. Below 7,500 feet, similar slab avalanches with depths of one to two feet could be triggered in steep, wind loaded terrain features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent deep slab avalanches up to six feet in depth could be human triggered on weak faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. This persistent weak layer has been most active on northwest to northeast aspects above 8,000 feet but can be found on other aspects as well. These slabs could also step down from the release of a wind slab. Being caught in one of these dangerous slab avalanches could easily result in a fatality.

Avalanche Discussion

Light to moderate intensity snowfall will continue overnight and through the day on Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the low single digits before rising into the low teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour. Cool temperatures, along with the absence of strong winds, should keep new snow densities on the lower end of the spectrum.On Sunday, avalanche conditions will remain dangerous in the higher elevations, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. Skiers and riders still have the potential of triggering recently developed wind slabs with depths ranging from one to four feet. Loose snow sluffs involving the most recent snowfall will also be possible in very steep terrain, and backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche. Don’t let the great skiing and riding lull you into complacency. Low consequence terrain should get a refresh overnight, and excellent turns can be found there. If you choose to enter steep avalanche prone terrain, make sure your route finding and snowpack evaluation skills are up to the task. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger smaller pockets of wind slab on very steep, wind loaded terrain features. There, the hazard is expected to be Moderate.

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