Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Recent snowfall above 8,500’, strong winds and rain up to 8,700’ continue to stress weak layers in the snowpack. Evaluate the snow and weather carefully today if you venture out as abnormally warm and wet weather continues to create unstable snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Observers in the field yesterday found conditions that were not as unstable as expected given the forecasted winter storm. They did however find that the snowpack structure remains a real concern despite the underwhelming amount of new snowfall. In the Tetons, the primary layer of concern in the upper snowpack continues to show signs of potential triggering. Slab thickness could be two or even three feet thick in high, windloaded aspects.  

    (12/9/2025)

    Faceted snow from November that harbors our persistent slab problem. View observation here.

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You’ll find slab depths in wind loaded terrain of one to two feet with the greatest depths at higher elevations in exposed, rocky locations. Stubborn but thicker wind slabs that developed days ago may be over two feet thick in high northerly locations. The warming conditions are likely to make these wind slabs easier to trigger.

    Temperatures will continue to warm today so be aware of the potential for wet loose avalanches below 9,000’ or so. These could entrain new snow and push you where you don’t want to go.

Avalanche Discussion

Peak instability from this winter storm is likely to have passed already. Forecasted snowfall did not pan out but the warming trend and continued snowfall and wind remains a concern. This warmth will ultimately help stabilize our early season weak layers but the heat will increase instability for today. We’ll have to wait and see how today’s weather contributes to new snow avalanche problems. Weather forecast uncertainty contributes heavily to avalanche forecast uncertainty so evaluation is the name of the game today.

Regions covered