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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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Mountain temperatures have already climbed 20 degrees in the past 24 hours, and they will likely warm another 10 to 15 degrees during the day. In steep avalanche terrain and runout zones, skiers and riders are likely to trigger deep hard slabs up to five feet in depth failing on weak, faceted snow and crusts near the base of the snowpack. Numerous close calls have occurred over the past week and previous tracks are not an indication of stability. Do not underestimate the dangerous nature of these slides.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall and southwesterly ridgetop winds have formed pockets of wind slab on leeward slopes. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind loaded terrain could trigger these slabs to depths of two feet.

Avalanche Discussion

Very cold temperatures with lows near 20 below zero are expected in the valleys overnight. Patchy areas of valley fog are likely to develop in the valleys before daybreak. In the mountains some clouds will move into the region from the west and bring a slight chance for snow flurries to occur late in the day at the higher elevations. Temperatures will rise into the teens at all elevations. Winds will continue to be light at less than ten miles per hour and veer from the southwest to the northwest. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at the mid and upper elevations. Due to the poor structure of the snowpack the weight of a single person can trigger very large avalanches. These killer avalanches will fail on a persistent weak layer of faceted snow and are a potential hazard on all aspects of the compass. The general avalanche hazard at those elevations is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. In these conditions expert terrain analysis skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in the mountains. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.

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