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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago.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

Highlights

At the upper elevations, the rating remains Considerable as the possibility to trigger very large and dangerous avalanches continues. These slabs will be most sensitive to larger triggers such as snow machines or groups of people but could release to the weight of a single skier if a particularly weak spot or trigger point in the snowpack is impacted. Wind slabs could also be triggered at the mid and high elevations today. Avalanches at low elevations are unlikely except for in small isolated pockets. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route finding skills are essential today.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Very dangerous deep slabs persist on west thru north thru east facing slopes above an elevation of 9,000 feet. These destructive slabs could be human triggered with depths to six feet. Previous tracks do not affect this weak layer and are not an indication of stability. Snow conditions at the surface are great for skiing and riding at this time. Beware as those conditions can trick backcountry users into forgetting about this deeply buried weakness.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Soft slabs formed by recent snow and southwest to northwest winds could be triggered today in very steep wind loaded terrain. These slabs could have depths of six inches to two feet.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Saturday as southwesterly flow brings a Pacific weather system and periods of snowfall to the region. Temperatures inversions will deteriorate, and daytime highs in the mountains will be in the mid 20s as the valleys rebound to near 30. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.While the deep persistent weak layer is gaining strength, it will also receive a modest increase in load, and CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard is still warranted. Lack of recent avalanche activity can lull people into complacency. Backcountry travelers that choose to enter steep, active avalanche paths in terrain that held snow from early October are rolling the dice. You may get away with riding this terrain, but if you impact a shallow weak zone and trigger one of these slides, the consequences could likely be fatal. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability with a deep slab problem, and large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to be able to impact this weak layer. Skiers and riders might still be able to trigger a pocket of wind slab up to two feet deep above 9,000 feet. With exception of very steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain, the snowpack is mostly stable below 9,000 feet.

Regions covered