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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Highlights

Recent snowfall combined with westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds to create pockets of soft slab at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep, wind-loaded terrain. The possibility persists for backcountry travelers to trigger deeper slabs that formed during the mid-January storm cycle. A slight chance remains for these slabs to step down to faceted snow near the base of the snowpack above 7,500 feet. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation followed by thoughtful decision making will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent slabs lie upon a variety of snow surfaces that developed during the dry period between Christmas and early January. Slab depths range from one foot at lower elevations to four feet at the higher elevations. The weight of a single person could trigger one of these slabs in very steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. At the lower elevations, repeated warming and cooling cycles have decreased the likelihood of triggering these slides.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Skiers and riders could trigger recently developed soft wind slabs six to eighteen inches deep in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet. These slabs formed on slick sun crusts in sunlit terrain and on dry, loose snow in shaded areas.

Avalanche Discussion

Northerly flow will back to the northwest as a ridge of high pressure moves easterly over the region. Skies will be partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Inverted temperatures will develop overnight with mountain highs reaching into the upper 20s during the day. Nighttime lows in the valleys will be near zero before rebounding into the mid to upper 20s. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Wednesday and will increase during the day on sunlit aspects as warm temperatures and sunshine heat the snow surface. In steep, wind-loaded terrain, backcountry travelers could trigger recently formed wind slabs ranging from six to eighteen inches in depth. The chance of triggering persistent slabs up to four feet deep continues. Faceted snow near the base of the snowpack remains a concern in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Tetons and the Greys River area, a slight chance continues for avalanche activity on these basal facets.

Regions covered