Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Both natural and artificially triggered slab avalanches involving the recent snowfall occurred yesterday at the mid and upper elevations. In the mountains, rising temperatures and sunshine will increase the likelihood for skiers and riders to trigger large to very large wind slabs, and natural activity could develop. Daytime warming will also bring about the possibility of wet slides on steep, sunlit slopes. Don’t let recent snowfall, sunshine or the weekend timeframe impair your judgement. Monitor warming temperatures and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces start to become damp. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Above 8,000 feet, daytime warming and sunshine will increase the chance for skiers and riders to trigger wind slabs one to three feet in depth on steep, avalanche-prone slopes. As the day progresses, shedding of the recent snowfall could occur naturally. These slides have the potential to travel long distances and entrain significant amounts of snow in very steep, sustained terrain. Conservative decision making and a close eye on the weather will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Above 8,000 feet, shallow wet loose slides will likely develop on sunlit aspects as snow surfaces start to dampen. As the day continues to warm, wet slabs involving the new snow could release naturally if skies remain mostly clear.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect light mountain snow and possible valley rain overnight and into Sunday as Pacific moisture rides up and over a weak, approaching ridge of high pressure. Cloud cover is forecasted to remain over the region through the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the low to mid 30s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet on Sunday morning. As the day warms, the chance will increase for skiers and riders to trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet deep in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. In many areas in the mountains, the snowfall from the end of the week has not undergone a significant warmup, and a shedding cycle remains possible. Temperatures will be five to ten degrees warmer than Saturday, and if extended periods of sunshine occur, a shedding cycle could still develop. If this scenario happens, the hazard will increase to Considerable in the Tetons where higher amounts of snowfall accumulated at the end of the week. The chance for wet slides involving the recent snowfall will also return as the day warms, particularly on sunlit aspects if cloud cover decreases. Monitor warming conditions and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become saturated. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely below 8,000 feet.

Regions covered