Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While the likelihood of triggering dangerous persistent slab avalanches is decreasing, the consequences remain high, and CONSIDERABLE hazard is still warranted at the mid and upper elevations. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger these persistent slabs to depths up to four feet. Conservative terrain choices will remain essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of soft slab in very steep gullies and ravines.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snowpack structure associated with faceted snow that developed from the first half of December can be found on most aspects above 7,500 feet. The ability for the overlying slabs to propagate a failure of these weak layers is slowly decreasing as the snowpack continues to adjust to the loading events during the holidays. These slabs could be triggered by the first person on a slope or after the slope has been skied numerous times, and previous tracks are not an indication of stability. With a persistent slab problem, snow pits are useful to examine the snow structure, but negative stability test results should not be used as an excuse to ski a slope.

Avalanche Discussion

The upper level disturbance will quickly move through overnight bringing an additional one to three inches of new snow to the mountains by Sunday morning. During the day, a few light scattered snow showers could linger before cloud cover begins to dissipate. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before climbing into the low 20s in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the northwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour.Aside from a few inches of new snow, little has changed with the snowpack in the past 24 hours, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE in the mountains on Sunday. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger dangerous persistent slabs ranging in depth from two to four feet. Isolated pockets of shallow wind slab will also continue to build in leeward terrain near upper elevation ridgelines. A conservative approach to terrain management is still warranted above 7,500 feet. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of soft slab in very steep gullies and ravines.

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