Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Clear skies overnight and near freezing temperatures have frozen snow surfaces, and mostly stable conditions exist in the early morning hours. Mountain temperatures are starting out around 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, and the general avalanche hazard will quickly rise to Considerable above 7,500 feet as crusts break down and snow surfaces become saturated. As this happens, dangerous avalanche conditions will develop, and naturally releasing wet loose slides and large to very large wet slabs will become likely. Get a very early start, be prepared for the rapid development of wet slides, and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable. While the snowpack below 7,500 feet has undergone numerous melt freeze cycles, wet slides may still be possible where the snowpack remains. The final morning avalanche hazard bulletin of the season will be issued on Sunday, April 21st.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Yesterday, abundant sunshine and warm temperatures resulted in significant avalanche activity as the April snowfall was substantially heated for the first time. Temperatures will be warmer today, and large to very large wet slab avalanches will quickly become likely at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be one to three feet deep and may be significantly deeper above 10,500 feet in the Central Tetons. Smaller wet loose slides will also become likely on very steep terrain features. These wet slides could travel long distances into low elevation terrain and may gouge down to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.

Avalanche Discussion

Cloud cover will increase in the early morning hours ahead of an approaching Pacific weather system. As the day progresses, the chance for light rain up to 10,000 feet will slowly increase. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 30 before rising to around 40 during the day. Nighttime lows in the valleys will be above freezing and then increase to near 60 in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet could remain Considerable on Saturday if a significant freeze does not occur overnight or if mostly sunny skies prevail through midday. The threat of both wet loose slides and large to very large wet slabs could return if either of these scenarios play out. Plan on a very early start, monitor the supportability of crusts and the impact of the sun, and be willing to come back another day if conditions warrant. While the snowpack below 7,500 feet has undergone numerous melt-freeze cycles, wet slides may still be possible where the snowpack remains.On Thursday, a snowboarder triggered a wet loose avalanche on Twin Slides that almost reached the highway. The Wyoming Department of Transportation continues to ask backcountry travelers to refrain from skiing and riding in terrain that could impact the travel corridor. Our last evening regional avalanche forecast of the 2018/19 season will be issued on Saturday, April 20th, and the final morning avalanche hazard bulletins of the season will be issued on Sunday, April 21st.

Regions covered