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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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Don’t let days off and blue skies impair your judgement. Skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs on very steep, leeward slopes above 7,500 feet. Sunshine, warming temperatures and the absence of wind could increase the likelihood of triggering these slabs on sunlit aspects in the afternoon. Monitor the effect of the sun, and transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces become damp. While persistent deep slab avalanches have become an outlying event, their high consequences warrant continued mention. The snowpack is mostly stable below 7,500 feet, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds veered to the northwest overnight. While sun and melt-freeze crusts have reduced snow available for transport in many areas, be on the lookout for pockets of newly developed wind slab near high elevation ridgelines. Skiers and riders venturing into very steep, wind-loaded terrain could triggers these slabs along with recently developed wind slabs up to three feet in depth that formed early in the week.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    While unlikely, backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche in isolated terrain above 7,500 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in areas where the snowpack is shallow. Substantial triggers, such as snowmobiles, cornice failures or the release of a wind slab, would be the most likely culprit to initiate one of these dangerous avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect clear skies overnight as high pressure resides over the region. During the day, some cloud cover may develop. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper single digits before rising into the upper 20s in the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Sunday. In very steep, wind-loaded terrain, the chance for skiers and riders to trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet in depth will increase with daytime warming on sunlit aspects. An outside chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches. With warming temperatures, large cornice failures would be the most likely trigger for one of these dangerous avalanches. Monitor temperatures and the impact of the sun, and transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces become damp. Below 7,500 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely.

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