Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The hazard will be increasing today. At the mid and upper elevations strong west-southwest to west winds will create new soft slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs will form on slick old snow surfaces and are likely to be easily triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. On steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet these slabs could step down to a weak persistent layer of faceted snow at the base of the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong west winds will begin to create pockets of new wind slab on leeward aspects at the mid and upper elevations. These soft slabs will form on slick old snow surfaces and will gain depth and volume as the day progresses. These surface slabs could reach depths of one to two feet during the afternoon and are likely to be easily triggered by humans on steep wind loaded aspects. If triggered on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet they could step down through older snow layers to weak faceted snow near the base of the snow pack and be up to three feet deep.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Strong winds and new snow will be rapidly loading older slabs that lie upon a weak persistent layer of faceted snow on northerly and shaded aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. These slabs could be human triggered to depths of three feet. Previous tracks on these slopes may not be an indication of stability

Avalanche Discussion

Periods of light to moderate snow with brisk west winds will continue overnight. Light snowfall will linger over the mountains on Sunday. Another four to six inches of new snow are expected overnight and on Sunday. Temperatures will drop into the upper single digits overnight and remain in the teens on Sunday. West winds are forecast to diminish to 20 miles per hour. Humans who venture into avalanche terrain could trigger wind slabs up to two feet deep on steep slopes and persistent slabs up to 40 inches in depth on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the higher elevations, MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW at the lower elevations. Please note that Grand Targhee Ski Resort will be closed to uphill travel on Monday through Thursday as the resort prepares for a Friday opening.

Regions covered