Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche involving wind drifted snow around a foot deep is possible in steep, wind loaded terrain above 8,000 feet today. Very windy conditions yesterday formed stubborn wind slabs in locations that could catch a person off guard. Carefully evaluate steep, upper elevation terrain for signs of loading and give loaded features a wide margin.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Tetons received 4-6 inches of dense new snow in the past 24 hours. Strong winds out of the SW, W, and NW redistributed this snow and formed stiff slabs up to a foot deep in wind loaded terrain above 8,000’. Given the high wind speeds (gusts to 90mph!), watch for wind slab formation in unusual locations (see photo).  Reports from yesterday indicate that the recent snow was bonding better than expected to the underlying rain crust that is present up to 10,000’ on all aspects, though observations were limited. While stubborn, triggering an avalanche in steep, wind loaded terrain is not out of the question today.

    Several inches of new snow could fall by this evening and should do little to increase the avalanche danger.

    Note the unusual loading pattern on the slope in the foreground. This photo was taken last week after a very strong wind event.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers of snow that formed in November are buried 2-4 feet deep beneath hard slabs. These slabs have been largely unreactive in recent days due to a strong upper snowpack and time for adjustment between layers. The last avalanches involving old snow from November occurred 8 days ago after an impressive loading event. The likelihood of triggering a large persistent slab avalanche is on the low end of the scale today. However, significant snowfall is expected in the coming days, which will load these weak layers and potentially increase the chances of deeper avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

Last week’s warm and windy storm left a rain crust across all aspects up to at least 10,000’ in the Tetons. This surface is well connected and very slick. Snowfall yesterday was less than expected, and came in warm with very strong winds. Initial reports indicate that this snow has bonded decently to the crust, but observations are minimal. Keep your guard up if traveling in windy upper elevation terrain. Strong winds, like we saw yesterday, can form slabs further off ridgelines than expected. Cliff bands, rocky terrain, and cross loaded gullies are also suspect. Wind slabs are likely to be stubborn, but could catch a rider off guard in certain pieces of terrain. Shooting cracks in the snow surface and collapses point to instability. Keep your slope angles low if you find these signs.

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