Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The most recent storm cycle has buried weak snow 2-4 feet deep on all aspects at the upper elevations. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential for safe travel in the mountains today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Weak snow was formed on all aspects and elevations during mid November. A stout melt freeze crust with sugary facets below is present on southerly aspects. This crust was buried on November 26. On northerly aspects combinations of near surface facets and surface hoar exist from the mid November period. At the upper elevations slab depths range from 2-4 ft. Slab depths are slightly thinner at the mid elevations. Cracking and collapsing within the snowpack are signs of instability. Digging a snowpit to figure out if these layers exist can inform your travel decisions. 

Avalanche Discussion

2 inches of settlement has occured throughout the Tetons in the last 24 hrs. Temperatures are in the single digits above 9k' and are expected to warm into the upper teens and lower 20s today with abundant sunshine. 

Widespread collapsing and cracking within the snowpack was observed yesterday on a variety of aspects and elevations. Unfortunately this seems to be the snowpack telling us that persistent weak layers within the snowpack are more widespread than previously thought. Small avalanches were observed at the mid and lower elevations throughout the range yesterday. Visibility made observations of the upper elevations tough but it is suspected that reports of natural avalanches that occured during the most recent storm will come in today.

Good avalanche activity was observed by patrollers at the King yesterday, telling us that well developed weak snow exists near the ground in steep northerly terrain at the mid and lower elevations. Some of these slides were repeat offenders, further hinting at a thick layer of weak snow near the ground.

The crust that was buried on the 26th of November seems to be widespread on southerly aspects at the mid and upper elevations. It is also present at the mid elevations on westerly and easterly aspects at the mid elevations and was formed from a dramatic inversion and warm temperatures. Northerly aspects stayed colder during this period, but near surface facets and surface hoar are preserved from the mid November period. Slab depths range from 2-4 feet at the upper elevations.

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