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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

In the past 24 hours, the Tetons have received over a foot of dense snow. Strong southerly ridgetop winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour accompanied this snowfall, and new soft slabs have formed at the mid and upper elevations. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger small to large slab avalanches along with loose snow sluffs in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. As the day progresses, these slides will increase in sensitivity, depth and volume. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain. At the lower elevations, precipitation was in the form of rain and snow, and shallow wet slides will be possible at or below the rain line.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds and abundant snowfall have combined to create new soft slabs above 7,500 feet. These slabs have formed upon a variety of snow surfaces which include sun crusts, surface hoar and settle powder. Just below these surfaces, stout rain crusts exist on all aspects up to 9,000 to 9,500 feet. Backcountry travelers could trigger these new slabs with depths ranging from one to two feet, and natural activity will be possible in steeper terrain. These slabs will become more sensitive to failure as more snow accumulates and the rain line rises in elevation.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    The release of wet loose slides will be possible in terrain were recent snowfall is now being rained upon. The threat of wet loose slides will increase in elevation as the rain line rises.

Avalanche Discussion

Southerly flow aloft will abruptly change to northwesterly flow overnight. During the day on Monday, the flow will become more zonal and bring another Pacific low pressure system to the area. By Monday afternoon, snowfall rates will substantially increase. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid teens before rinsing into the upper 20s during the day. By sunrise, the valleys will be in the low 20s before climbing back into the upper 30s in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.At the lower elevations, below freezing temperatures will temporarily halt the threat of shallow wet slides before the chance returns in the afternoon. Newly and recently developed wind slabs will be the primary avalanche problem at the higher elevations.In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable on Monday and will increase after the upcoming Pacific trough starts to bring new snow to the area. There, skiers and riders will be likely to trigger slabs avalanches one to two feet in depth in steep, wind-loaded terrain. The chance for natural activity will return after this next storm system begins loading the snowpack.In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas, where significantly less snow has fallen in the past 36 hours, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Monday. Similar wind slabs could be triggered, but slab depths will range from 6 to 18 inches.

Regions covered