Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Lawinenprobleme

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  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Very Likely

  Größe

  2–3

  Large, deadly avalanches failing on very weak snow formed in December are a real threat today. In the mid and upper elevations, avalanches will break 3 to 5 feet deep. Below 7,500’ slab depths will be in the 1 to 3 foot range. All aspects (shaded and sunny) at all elevations are suspect. Only the lowest elevation slopes that were bare ground prior to January 4th have escaped this problem. Slabs could be triggered from a distance, or wait until you have committed to the slope to release. Approximately 10 inches of new snow fell overnight in the upper elevations of the Salt River Range. This additional load will push an already weak snowpack over the edge. Extremely careful route finding is of the utmost importance today. Keeping slope angles below 30° and staying well away from terrain that is connected to avalanche paths is critical. This also means being aware of the terrain above you as remote triggering is possible. Groomed trails that cross avalanche paths should be evaluated carefully and crossed one at a time, if at all.

  We have recieved many avalanche observations over the past few days. Thank you! Please take a moment to look at the recent events here.

  

• 

  Deep Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  2–3.5

  Weak snow formed during a dry period in November persists at the base of the snowpack. This layer is now buried about 5 to 6 feet deep in the Salt River, Snake River, and western portions of the Wyoming Range. It is at its weakest on the north half of the compass. The recent loading events have pushed this deep weak layer to its breaking point in some locations. Deep slab events were observed in the Snake River Canyon yesterday. These very large avalanches are most likely to occur when an avalanche triggered in the most recent snow steps down to weak November snow. Any avalanche involving the entire snowpack will be destructive and likely unsurvivable. 

  Areas in the eastern Wyoming Range, Hoback Canyon, and Gros Ventre Mountains lacked significant snowfall prior to the storm cycle beginning January 4th. In these locations, the new snow has fallen on a snowpack that was primarily made up of weak, sugary snow. Deep slab events are not likely in these locations due to the shallower snowpack.