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

Human triggered avalanches are possible today in steep, high elevation terrain. The crusts beneath recent snowfall up to about 9,000’ will continue to make travel difficult. Slabs could grow to 1 to 2 feet thick by afternoon and will likely be easy to trigger due to their recent formation. Though natural avalanche activity is unlikely, blowing snow, low visibility and the firm bed surface will make for challenging conditions in which to identify and avoid today's avalanche problems.Author: Frank Carus

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    West wind continues to transport light density snow onto lee slopes and build new wind slabs. The small wind slabs that were easy to trigger yesterday will grow larger today as snow accumulates. Pay close attention to rates of snowfall and signs of wind loading. The firm bed surface that exists in many areas will allow moving debris to entrain more snow and rapidly pick up speed. These wind slabs could be up to 2 feet thick by dark in isolated areas.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Loose dry avalanches will easily entrain new snow that has fallen on the hard surfaces beneath. Though small, these sluffs could entrain enough snow to push you somewhere you'd rather avoid. Careful management of debris will help you avoid trouble in confined or consequential terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

If snow densities remain in the 5-6% density range tonight and we receive the amount of snow water equivalent that is forecast, we will receive another 10 to 12 inches in the Tetons and possibly up to 18 inches in the Greys River area. Snow will taper in the morning with just a trace more falling through the day. Wind will shift to the north later tonight, ushering in colder air and low temperatures near 0F. Storm snow totalling 20-30 inches on a hard crust is a recipe for avalanches. Natural storm and wind slab avalanches two to four feet thick are possible tomorrow. Wind speeds are diminishing but the very light density snow is likely to be transported easily even on light to moderate wind speeds. Watch snowfall and wind speeds carefully overnight and count on avalanche danger rising to Considerable for tomorrow.

Regions covered