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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Highlights

The avalanche danger will be Considerable at middle and upper elevations. New snow, wind and rising temperatures will build slabs likely to be triggered by a skier or rider in steep terrain. Shooting cracks, collapsing and evidence of other avalanches nearby are signals that the snowpack is unstable. Natural avalanches are also possible. Avalanches may involve all of the snow above the crust and will be large enough to easily bury a person.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs one to three feet thick exist in the terrain and will grow larger through the day. Look for signs of drifted snow near ridgetops, and on slopes beneath cliff bands. Hollow sounding snow, shooting cracks or pillow-like formations of snow are indicators that drifting snow has formed slabs. Older wind slabs that may remain unstable exist on a variety of aspects due to shifting winds earlier in the week.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    In very steep terrain loose snow avalanches will have the potential to gather enough volume to knock skiers and riders over and into terrain traps. These avalanches could gather the 24-30" of snow that has fallen since Sunday. If entering steep terrain expect snow that was not wind affected to move readily and run long distances.

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall will continue through the night and taper off through Friday. The Tetons and Togwotee Pass could see 4-7” and the Southwest Trails area could pick up 3-5”. Some westerly facing slopes could see intense orographic snowfall in the early morning hours. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, and temperatures will rise into the mid-twenties. Winds will veer from southwest to west in the early morning and average 20-25 mph.Wind slabs will continue to be the primary concern Friday due to the ongoing storm. Wind direction has shifted since the storm began four days ago, building wind slabs on multiple aspects. Slab depth could be up to three feet deep above 8,000 feet. Identify loaded slopes and terrain features by their smooth, rounded appearance and watch for shooting cracks. Loose dry avalanches may be possible to trigger on steeper, sheltered slopes. These slides will be small but could become big problems if caught and carried into a terrain trap. The avalanche danger in the Tetons will remain Considerable above 7,500 feet. Below 7,500 feet avalanches are less likely and expected to be small. The Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas will have Considerable avalanche danger above 8,000 feet, and Moderate danger below. Expect the lower elevations to move to Considerable danger if they receive the upper end of forecasted snowfall amounts

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