Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Skiers and riders could trigger small to large pockets of newly developed wind slab in steep, wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. As the day warms and skies clear, these slabs will become more susceptible to failure. Loose snow sloughs are also possible on very steep slopes with significant amounts of new snow. The threat of wet slides will return with daytime warming and sunshine. These slides will just involve the new snow at the mid and upper elevations, and very steep, lower elevation slopes could have failures in unconsolidated, isothermal old snow. Monitor temperatures and solar input, and have a plan to descend safely before snow surfaces heat up. With the current stress on our health care community, an extra margin of safety is warranted.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Since early yesterday morning, the mountains have received 8 to 12 inches of new snow, and southwesterly ridgetop winds picked up to 20 to 30 miles per hour after 2:00 AM. New wind slabs with depths ranging from 12 to 18 inches have formed above 9,000 feet in leeward terrain. These slabs reside above melt-freeze crusts and dense, settled snow. Backcountry travelers could trigger these pockets of slab on steep slopes, and the likelihood of triggering will increase as the day warms.

Avalanche Discussion

Skies will be partly cloudy to mostly clear overnight before cloud cover increases in the morning, and light snow showers develop. In the afternoon, snowfall intensity will increase, and valley rain will be possible. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper teens before climbing into the mid-30s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.In the Tetons on Monday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 9,000 feet and Low below 9,000 feet. In steep leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines, skiers and riders could trigger pockets of wind slab ranging in depth from 12 to 18 inches. Loose snow sloughs could also be triggered in terrain with significant snowfall from the past two days. Low avalanche hazard is expected in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones. There, the snowpack will be mostly stable in the early morning hours. In all forecast zones, the hazard could increase with daytime warming if mostly sunny skies prevail in the morning, and small wet slides could result. With the current stress on our health care community, an extra margin of safety is warranted.

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