Wind Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Likely
- Taille
- 1–2.5
Heavy snowfall combined with strong southwest wind over the last 4 days has formed dense slabs 2-3 feet deep that lie above weak interfaces. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep terrain over 35°. Due to the wide distribution and continuity of the weak layer and slab, avalanches are capable of traveling far distances across or upslope above you if triggered. Continued warm temperatures last night and today will increase the likelihood of triggering. Managing this problem will be difficult as signs of instability such as collapsing, cracking, or recent avalanches in the last 48 hours may not be present. Many slopes may appear stable until larger triggers or hitting the thin spot produces large avalanches. Choose conservative and lower angle terrain to manage the dangerous high consequence avalanche conditions.
Yesterday a group of 7 triggered a large avalanche resulting in a partial burial in the adjacent Teton zone outside of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. More details can be found here.
(2/3/2025)
A large skier triggered avalanche on a NE facing slope at 9,400' south of JHMR. It likely failed on the new/old interface that was buried on 1/31. 7 skiers were caught and carried. All members of the party survived the incident.
Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center