Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Two large slab avalanches were unintentionally triggered by skiers yesterday. One occurred on the east face of Mt. Taylor. The other occurred on a southeast aspect of Pow Wow Peak on Grey Back Ridge. Being caught in either of these slides could have been deadly. Similar events are possible today. At all elevations large slab avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a person on steep avalanche prone slopes. Conservative choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Most recreational avalanche fatalities occur during periods of considerable or moderate avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Weak layers and crusts persist in the snowpack. These weak layers are comprised of buried layers of surface hoar and near surface faceted snow. At the mid and upper elevations large slab avalanches with depths from 2 to 4 feet could be triggered by humans on these problem layers. At the lower elevations the snowpack has poor structure. Down there large slab avalanches with depths from 1 to 3 feet could be triggered by humans on a base of weak faceted snow crystals.

Avalanche Discussion

Periods of light to moderate snowfall are likely overnight and into the morning hours. This snowfall will increase in intensity in the afternoon and evening in association with the passage of a cold front. Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches in the mountains and 3 to 6 inches in the valleys are possible by Sunday evening. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and in the teens and low 20s in the valleys. Winds along the higher ridge crests will veer towards the west and increase with some gusts to 50 miles per hour likely during the frontal passage on Sunday afternoon/evening.The general avalanche hazard will be on the increase, especially at the higher elevations which are expected to receive more snow and have higher winds. Fresh winds slabs will begin to form on leeward aspects and could be sensitive to human triggers in steep wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. The new snow and wind will also be increasing the load on persistent weak layers that exist in the snowpack at all elevations. Large slabs avalanches could be triggered by humans on these buried weak layers and could have severe consequences. The general avalanche hazard could increase from moderate to considerable during the day in areas that receive significant amounts of new snow and experience strong winds. A rapid increase in the hazard may occur in the afternoon during the passage of a cold front.

Regions covered