Avalanche forecast

Tetons

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Periods of southerly to easterly ridgetop winds have redistributed light density snow. Yesterday, two human triggered slides occurred. The first was on a south-southeasterly aspect on the Taylor Mountain skin track around 9,500 feet in elevation. The second occurred on a northeasterly slope in the Mount Oliver area at an elevation of 8,500 feet. These slides were both hard slabs and had crown depths of 54 and 28 inches, respectively. Similar slides remain possible today at the mid and upper elevations. With deep slab instabilities still present, use a conservative approach to decision making, and keep a wide margin of safety. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The possibility for backcountry travelers to trigger deep persistent slab avalanches continues. These slabs, with depths up to five feet, lie upon deeply buried layers of faceted snow that persist on all aspects above 7,500 feet. As yesterday's events demonstrate, these slides could still be triggered by the weight of a single skier or rider if they hit a particularly weak or shallow part of the snowpack. These slabs are more susceptible to failure by larger triggers, such as snowmobiles or groups of skiers. Do not let previous tracks lull you into complacency; they are not an indication of stability.

Avalanche Discussion

Enough moisture will stream into the region to create partly cloudy skies. Temperatures in the mountains will be in the teens and 20s. Valley temperatures will drop into the single digits overnight and rise to near 30 degrees in the afternoon. Winds will be light at less than 10 miles per hour from the southwest.At the mid and upper elevations the general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Hard slabs that lie upon weak faceted snow can be human triggered in steep terrain. These unstable slabs are two to five feet deep. They have released on all aspects of the compass. Due to their size they are a serious hazard which must managed with a wide margin of safety with respect to terrain choices. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.

Regions covered