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

Since early yesterday morning, the Tetons have received 12 to 18 inches of new snow with over an inch of water accompanied by moderate winds. These conditions have created the potential for dangerous avalanches to be human-triggered at the mid and upper elevations. The new load has also added weight to buried persistent weak layers at all elevations, and the additional stress on the snowpack may cause PWLs to be more easily triggered by backcountry travelers. It will be likely for riders and skiers to trigger newly formed wind slabs and possible to trigger larger slides on older buried weak layers. Those venturing into the mountains should use careful snowpack assessment and good terrain choices to avoid encountering dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterday into today, moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds have formed dense wind slabs one to two feet in depth on leeward slopes. Strong winds today could increase the size of these slabs. Due to the recent formation of these slabs, they could be easily triggered by riders and skiers. It is warranted to avoid slopes affected by the wind, especially where cornices are found as this is a sure sign of wind-loading.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    There have been many periods of dry weather this season forming faceted snow grains that are now buried. Riders and skiers as well as the release of a wind slab could trigger slab avalanches one to four feet in depth on steep avalanche-prone terrain. Just a few days ago on the Teton Pass, snowmobilers remotely triggered a large avalanche. Similar events remain possible today. Be mindful of the surrounding terrain and the location of other backcountry travelers to avoid dangerous accidents involving large avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

The next pulse of moisture will bring moderate snowfall to the area that will start this evening and continue until tomorrow afternoon. New snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches are likely in the mountains with 3 to 6 inches in the valleys. Temperatures will be mostly in the single digits and teens. Winds will be from the west-northwest with gusts for 40 to 50 miles per hour along the higher ridge crests and cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable at the higher elevations. Strong winds will build wind slabs on leeward aspects and increase the load on persistent weak layers. Skiers and riders could easily trigger wind slabs 1 to 3 feet deep in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Dangerous persistent slab avalanches 2 to 5 feet could also be triggered on avalanche prone slopes. A careful evaluation of the snowpack and terrain and conservative terrain choices are warranted.

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