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

Moderate avalanche danger exists above 8,000 feet. Weak layers buried 1-3 feet below the surface hold the potential to produce avalanches large enough to bury a person. The likelihood of triggering these avalanches has been slowly trending towards unlikely but this layer has produced large and dangerous avalanches. Look for this avalanche problem by digging down to check for loose, sugary snow grains. Avalanches will become easier to trigger as temperatures warm above freezing. Cornices are also beginning to weaken as temperatures rise so consider the impact of a cornice fall above you. Follow safe travel protocols by traveling one at a time, using islands of safety and communicating your plans clearly in order to minimize your group’s exposure to these hazards. Below 8,000 feet the avalanche danger is Low. In the middle and lower elevations expect wet loose avalanches in steep, sunny terrain by mid-day.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    January and February were dry months. During this time weak layers formed throughout the forecast area. In the month of March a series of storms built up slabs that in some cases have been large enough to activate those weak layers, making them easier to trigger. These weak layers are between 1-3 feet deep. While there has not been widespread activity on these layers in the Tetons, there have been several avalanches reported in the last week that were large, one of which resulted in a fatality. This avalanche problem is more likely to be encountered in steep mid and upper elevation terrain on the northern half of the compass and in terrain that avalanched in early January.

Avalanche Discussion

Warming will continue to weaken the snowpack and send free water into deeper weak layers and down to the melt freeze crusts that exist in the upper snowpack. As dry snow becomes saturated, expect more and larger wet loose avalanches, and possibly some cornice failures. Large and dangerous natural avalanches one to three feet thick will be possible in all forecast zones in the afternoon tomorrow where slabs sit over the weak January layer. Human triggered avalanches will become likely in the afternoon as heating occurs at upper elevations in all forecast areas. The danger rating will rise to Considerable in the afternoon. Consider roller balls, loose wet avalanches and a saturated snow surface as warning signs that larger and more dangerous avalanches could occur.

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