Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The avalanche danger is Considerable at mid and upper elevations today. New snow and wind are forming wind slabs on lee slopes. Shifting wind direction throughout the storm has formed slabs on multiple aspects. Triggering a wind slab can result in an avalanche large enough to bury a person. Watch for signs of unstable snow, such as recent avalanches, cracking and collapsing. Below 7,500 feet avalanches are less likely and expected to be small. Ensure your safe zones are truly safe and have a back-up plan while traveling in the mountains today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to three feet thick exist in the mid and upper elevations. Identify loaded slopes and terrain features by their smooth, rounded appearance. Hollow sounding snow, and shooting cracks are indicators a slab is present. Avoid steep, wind loaded slopes and be conservative with your terrain selection. Triggering a wind slab today could have catastrophic results due to the large volume of snow that sits above the crust.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Loose dry avalanches are possible on steep sheltered slopes. These slides will start small but can grow in size quickly and can entrain enough snow to knock a skier or rider off their feet. Remember even small slides can have catastrophic outcomes if you are carried into a terrain trap.

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall will pause overnight. Tomorrow morning will be mostly cloudy though the sun may peak through occasionally. Scattered flurries will start back up early afternoon. The majority of the snow looks to fall in the evening and overnight with 2-4” possible. Temperatures will warm into the low to mid-thirties near 9,000 feet and winds will be predominantly from the south at 15-25 mph.The likelihood of triggering a wind slab is slowly reducing. With no new wind slab activity and a pause in snowfall, tomorrow the avalanche danger will be Moderate above 7,500 feet in the Tetons. Natural avalanches will be unlikely, but it will still be possible to trigger a large slide on steep, wind loaded slopes. As wind transport continues, snow on loaded terrain features and pillows may stiffen. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks and collapsing. Loose dry avalanches will be possible in steep, sheltered terrain above 9,000 feet. Practice good sluff management to help deal with this hazard as some of these could become large in bigger terrain. Below 7,500 feet, avalanches will be unlikely and small if encountered, the danger will be Low.On Togwotee Pass and the Southwest Trails areas the avalanche danger will be Moderate above 8,000 feet. Below 8,000 feet the danger will be Low.

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