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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Highlights

Heavy snowfall and strong westerly winds ending early Monday created wind slabs on lee slopes at mid and upper elevations. The slabs can triggered by backcountry travelers on steep, avalanche-prone terrain. Clear skies and rapid warming will increase the ease of triggering slab and wet-loose avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    New snowfall driven by strong westerly winds ending early Monday created soft slabs on lee slopes at mid and upper elevations. Avalanches as deep as 18 inches should be expected. The slabs have formed on slick sun crusts and wind packed surfaces with loose, poorly bonding graupel in the mix. The deepest avalanches released yesterday occurred below cliff bands. Rapidly warming temperatures will make sunlit slopes increasingly dangerous through the day.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Loose wet avalanches will become possible as the day warms. By afternoon cornice drops, snow falling from cliffs, skiers and riders will be able to release slides that can grow to dangerous size. Very steep areas particularly above terrain traps should be avoided.

Avalanche Discussion

The southwest flow will bring thickening clouds overnight and light snow by Wednesday morning as a Pacific trough approaches the region. Snowfall will be moderate to heavy at times late Wednesday afternoon and evening. Mountain temperatures will drop to the mid teens overnight then climb to the upper 20s during the day. Ridges will experience southwest winds at 15 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE. In the Tetons it will be possible for backcountry travelers to trigger soft slab avalanches to a foot or more in depth on steep slopes just under ridgetops or below cliffbands. In the Southwest Trails/Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas weak, faceted snow below the surface continues to hold the possibility for skiers or riders to trigger hard slabs to three feet in depth in steep, avalanche terrain.

Regions covered