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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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday, two large avalanches were remotely triggered by backcountry travelers in the Snake River Range and the Wyoming Range. The event on Greyback Ridge in the Wyoming Range was triggered by the second party to cross above the slope, and in the Snake River Range on Observation Peak when snowmobilers crossed a nearby slope. Both these events are indications of the dangerous avalanche conditions that exist in the forecast areas, and similar events are possible in the Tetons today. Situational awareness of surrounding terrain will be important to manage the potential of remote triggers, and previous tracks should not be trusted as signs of stability. Today’s warming temperatures and sunshine could increase the sensitivity of these slabs. Expert terrain evaluation skills are essential and conservative terrain choices are warranted.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Dangerous slab avalanches can be triggered by skiers and riders on avalanche-prone terrain. Above 7,500 feet, these slabs could be 2 to 4 feet deep and could seriously injure or more likely kill a person. At the lower elevations, where avalanches could be more easily triggered, slab depths will be smaller at 1 to 2 feet in depth. Persistent weak layers are very tricky to predict, and careful travel in the backcountry should be taken seriously.

Avalanche Discussion

Mostly clear skies will continue tonight and through the day on Sunday. Temperature inversions will strengthen overnight with the valleys dropping into the negative single digits. Mountain temperatures will fall to near 10 degrees tonight before climbing to around 20 degrees in the afternoon. Northerly ridgetop winds will be light before picking up to 15 to 20 miles per hour out of the west to northwest by mid-morning.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Teton and Southwest Trails forecast zones, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable in the mountains on Sunday. On a variety of aspects and elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from two to four feet in steep, avalanche terrain. As the day warms, these slabs could become more prone to failure on sunlit aspects. In similar terrain on Togwotee Pass, skiers and riders have the potential of triggering smaller persistent slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet. There, the hazard is expected to remain Moderate. The weak, persistent faceted layers vary significantly across the landscape. Conservative terrain choices and cautious route finding are your best tools to mitigate this hazard.

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