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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Highlights

Several natural avalanches were reported or observed on Tuesday along with a couple of skier triggered slides. Similar wind slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects by backcountry travelers in steep, wind loaded terrain. These slabs could also step down into layers of weak, faceted snow buried deep within the older snowpack. Cautious route finding and careful snowpack evaluation will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Around 30 inches of snow containing three inches of snow water equivalent has fallen since Friday afternoon. Strong westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds accompanied this snowfall, creating wind slabs on leeward slopes, which lie upon good sliding surfaces. This storm cycle started cold with light density snow that became denser as the storm progressed. Backcountry travelers could easily trigger these slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain to depths of 30 inches.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Faceted snow persists throughout the snowpack on a variety of aspects. Snowfall over the last several days has increased the load on these weak layers. If triggered, these slabs could release to the ground with depths of two to four feet.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect partly cloudy to mostly clear skies on Thursday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Valley temperatures should be 5 to 10 degrees cooler. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Thursday. Backcountry travelers could trigger recently developed wind slabs up to 30 inches deep in steep, wind loaded terrain. Faceted snow persists throughout the snowpack and failure could also occur on these deeper layers with slab depths up to four feet. If skies are mostly clear and temperatures are inverted, these slides may become more susceptible to failure in the afternoon on sunlit aspects at the upper elevations. While the likelihood of triggering these slides is decreasing, the consequences remain high. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern.

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