Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rising temperatures and sunshine will increase the avalanche hazard throughout the day. At the mid and upper elevations large to very large slab avalanches could be triggered by humans this morning. As skies clear human triggers will become likely and natural avalanches will be possible. Once triggered, these slab avalanches could gouge down and entrain old wet snow. At low elevations where the temperatures dropped below freezing, a weak crust has formed. Warming temperatures will melt crusts and reveal wet snow or areas of isothermal snowpack. In the afternoon wet snow avalanches are a potential hazard on steep terrain features at the lower elevations. Wet snow avalanche hazards could also be a threat at the mid and upper elevations as temperatures increase and skies clear. As the day warms, careful terrain evaluation will become essential and it will be important to avoid crossing below large avalanche paths.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At the mid and upper elevations destructive dense slab avalanches could release naturally or be triggered by skiers or riders. These slabs could be two to three feet deep. Above an elevation of 10,500 feet in the central Tetons, there is potential for these surface slabs to be greater than three feet deep. Conservative terrain choices and a cautious approach to avalanche terrain and run out zones are warranted.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Wet loose and web slab avalanches are possible on steep terrain features. The potential for wet slides to occur on steep slopes will increase as the day warms and could rapidly increase on steep sunlit slopes. These wet slides could gouge down to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothemal.

Avalanche Discussion

A high pressure ridge will build in from the west and bring dryer and much warmer conditions to the region. On Thursday skies will be mostly clear. Temperatures will drop to around 20 degrees overnight. Daytime highs will rise well into the 40s in the mountains and well into the 50s in the valleys. Winds will be from the northwest at 15 to 20 with gusts to 25 miles per.At the upper elevations the general avalanche hazard expected to be moderate at daybreak and will increase to considerable as temperatures warm. In steep active avalanche paths large slab avalanches comprised of the new snow that has been accumulating for over a week could be triggered by skiers and riders. These slabs are expected to become increasingly sensitive to human triggers and may release naturally during the warmest portion of the day. At the mid and lower elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be low at daybreak and will rise to moderate after significant warming occurs. Wet snow avalanches are possible on steep terrain features. Monitor conditions at all elevations for a rapid increase in the wet snow avalanche hazards and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable.

Regions covered