Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

New snow and high winds will create wind slabs that will be sensitive to human triggers later in the day. These slabs will be most prominent in the mid and upper elevations. With average wind speeds forecasted to be in the 50 mph range, expect unusual loading patterns. Slabs will be forming on a wide variety of snow surfaces. Use caution when route finding and be on the lookout for wind loaded features. In steep isolated areas, a slight potential still remains for avalanches to release on deeper weak layers within the snowpack. At the low elevations avalanches are unlikely today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow accompanied with strong southwest winds will form slabs in leeward starting zones. These slabs will grow throughout the day and become easier to trigger as the day progresses. Expect loading patterns to form slabs further down and across slopes than normal. Because of this it will be critical to assess the snow prior to committing to terrain. Expect slab depths in the one foot range by the end of the day.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers deeper in the snowpack hold the remote potential to fail under stress from new loading. While avalanches failing at this depth are unlikely, it is important to keep these deeper issues on the radar.

Avalanche Discussion

Snow is forecast to continue overnight and through the day tomorrow steadily increasing the avalanche danger through tomorrow. Favored locations in the Tetons and Salt River Range could receive eight inches more snow tonight and another six to eight inches tomorrow for a combined two day total of eighteen to twenty four inches. Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide area is forecast to receive around half these amounts. Wind speeds have been defying the best forecasting efforts but some degree of slab formation overnight and tomorrow seems certain. Count on the new snow and wind loading to bring the potential for natural avalanches 1-3’ thick at upper elevations which will increase the danger rating to Considerable. Buried weak layers are more likely to be involved in these avalanches as the loading continues. Middle elevations will likely share this Considerable rating, especially if the more optimistic snowfall forecasts pan out. Due to the sparse snow coverage prior to this storm, lower elevation terrain will likely remain free of avalanche danger.

Regions covered