Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At the mid and upper elevations, the slight chance of triggering a large slab avalanche exists. Avoid very steep terrain near cliffs or rocky areas and stick to low angle slopes to avoid the threat of an avalanche accident. Low elevations lack sufficient snow coverage for avalanche concerns. As new snow falls today, very small loose snow sluffing could become possible in steep terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow formed during a dry period in November is well preserved within the snowpack. The triggering of slabs that lie above this layer has become less likely and limited to steep terrain above 8500 feet that has a north component in aspect. Slab failure is hard to predict as a slope can be tracked several times before a particularly thin, weak spot is impacted. If triggered, these slabs will be hard with depths of 1 to 3 feet.  Evaluating the snowpack layering to the ground on a specific slope can provide insight to this extent of this weakness. 

Avalanche Discussion

Although the chance of triggering an avalanche involving the Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) has decreased and is thought to only be currently possible on higher northwest to northeast terrain, the danger rating remains Moderate because in the unlikely event that a slab is triggered it has the potential to be large.  Snowpack observations continue to come in that indicate the weak layer is easily identifiable in upper elevations on many aspects. Snowpit tests show varying results, but propagation propensity can still be found.  As the rating trends to low hazard, the November drought layer will continue to be watched, particularly during significant loading events. Also, of concern when real storms return to the area are the current snow surfaces that include crusts and widespread faceted snow and surface hoar that is being lightly covered today by light snow. 

 

 

 

Regions covered