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

The Tetons received about 6 inches of new snow with about a half inch of moisture since noon yesterday and 3 inches of dense snow during the previous evening. At the highest elevations strong southwest winds have formed fresh wind slabs on leeward aspects. These fresh slabs lie upon sun crusts, dry powder snow and areas of surface hoar growth. Significantly less wind has occurred at the mid and lower elevations. At the mid and upper elevations these winds slabs and loose snow sloughs could be triggered by skiers and riders on steep slopes today. Large cornices exist and may be unstable. Very large, deep persistent slab avalanches are unlikely and may require a larger trigger such as a snowmobile or a cornice drop. At the lower elevations some potential for wet slides may develop on very steep terrain features during the warmest portion of the day. Conduct careful snow stability evaluations, monitor conditions for increasing hazard and avoid steep terrain in areas where the snow structure is poor.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At the upper elevations fresh wind slabs up to 18 inches in depth could be triggered by humans today in steep wind loaded avalanches starting zones. At the mid elevations isolated pockets of fresh wind slab up to a foot deep and loose snow sloughs could be triggered by humans in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Triggering one of these slabs in cliff areas, long steep couloirs or above terrain traps could have consequences.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    At the mid and upper elevations a person may be able to trigger a very large, deep persistent slab avalanche in isolated areas if a shallow, weak zone is encountered. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure may be required to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. These dangerous slabs could be 4 to 8 feet deep.

Avalanche Discussion

Occasional light snowfall or flurries are possible overnight with less than an inch of accumulation. Snowfall is expected to develop from south to north in the morning, become heavy at times and end from south to north in the evening. Accumulations of 5 to 12 inches are possible in the mountains by early Saturday morning. Temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens and 20s tonight and rise into the 20s and 30s on Friday. Winds will be light from the west-southwest at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate. At the higher elevations skiers and riders could trigger soft slab avalanches one to two feet deep on very steep slopes. Tomorrow’s snowfall intensity and duration may vary significantly over very small distances. Some localized areas at the upper elevations could experience higher hazards associated with the new snowfall. In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River/Southwest Trails area large persistent deep slab avalanches continue to be a significant hazard. These dangerous slabs pose the greatest hazard to snowmobilers and could be 3 to 6 feet deep.

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