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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

DANGEROUS avalanche conditions exist at the mid and upper elevations. Expert route finding skills and very conservative terrain decisions are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. During the past 48 hours two feet of new snow with up to three inches of moisture have fallen. Yesterday a large 40 inch hard slab avalanche was remotely triggered by skiers skinning uphill on Whimpy's Knob. Early this morning WYDOT triggered a very large slide in Glory Bowl that ran fast and put a lot of debris on the highway. Large to very large human triggered slides are likely today on a variety of aspects. At the upper reaches of the lower elevations isolated pockets of slab could be triggered in very steep avalanche starting zones.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Dense surface slabs formed by west winds lie upon slick old snow surfaces and are likely to be easily triggered by skiers or riders on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be triggered sympathetically or from a distance. Crown depths of one to four feet are possible and once triggered these slabs are will run fast and entrain large volumes of snow. On steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet they could step down to the ground.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Deep instability persist on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Deep, hard slabs lie upon a basal layer of weak faceted snow and could be triggered by the weight of a person of by the release of a surface slab. These dangerous slabs will step down to the ground and could have crown depths to five feet.

Avalanche Discussion

A bitter cold air mass is settling into the region and it will continue to get colder during the next couple of days. On Wednesday skies will be mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of light mountain snow showers or flurries. Temperatures will range from five to 10 degrees below zero. Winds will be light from the north to northeast.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE above an elevation of 7,000 feet. Dangerous slab avalanches up to five feet in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes.

Regions covered