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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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at the mid and upper elevations. Several natural and human triggered avalanches were reported yesterday on a variety of aspects and elevations. These slides were a mix of wind slabs and persistent slabs, and similar events are possible today. While the potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger small to large wind slabs, the primary hazard will be large to very large persistent slab avalanches. Skiers and riders could trigger these deadly slabs on various aspects. Conservative terrain choices and cautious route finding will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. At the lower elevations, some potential may remain for skiers and riders to trigger small pockets of slab on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Since early Saturday morning, between 1.0 and 1.5 inches of snow water equivalent was added to faceted layers and crusts in the higher elevations. The underlying persistent weak layers and sliding surfaces vary significantly across the landscape; some slopes are stable, others are not, and it is difficult to distinguish between the two. On a variety of aspects above 8,000 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger these slabs with depths ranging from two to four feet. Below 8,000 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable, and avalanche activity is expected to be isolated to steep terrain features with a deeper snowpack.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds at 15 to 30 miles per hour accompanied Saturday’s snowfall, and wind slabs with depths varying from one to two feet formed above 8,500 feet. Skiers and riders still have the potential of triggering these slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Tuesday looks to have moderate temperature inversions and partly cloudy skies. Winds are to become northwesterly with averages between fifteen and twenty miles per hour. High temperatures should reach near twenty degrees at the higher elevations. The avalanche danger tomorrow will be similar to today’s with Considerable hazard in the Teton and Southwest trails areas and Moderate hazard in the Togwotee Pass area. Wind slabs and persistent slabs could be human triggered in avalanche terrain above 8000 feet. Although they are becoming less sensitive, in the Southwest Trails and Teton areas a single person could still trigger a large avalanche. Use caution in route selection and exposure as determining where a slab involving old weak layers could fail is very difficult to predict.

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