Lawinenlagebericht

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering a large avalanche on weak snow buried 1-3 feet deep is possible. These avalanches are most likely on very steep, rocky, wind-affected terrain.  Avalanches are unlikely at lower elevations. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Although triggering an avalanche involving these layers has become less likely, it can still occur, especially above 8000 feet in terrain that is connected to very steep (>35°) slopes. You're most likely to trigger a large hard slab avalanche 1-3 feet deep on the north half of the compass - where snowpack depth is variable. These avalanches are easiest to trigger in spots where the snowpack is thin. Signs of a thin snowpack include wind-scoured snow near ridges, cliff bands, and rocks sticking out of the snow. Signs of instability, such as snowpack collapsing and cracking, probably won't be present before triggering one of these avalanches. 

    Larger triggers in the form of groups, snowmobiles, or falling cornices will increase the odds of impacting these weak layers. Snowpack evaluation and safe travel practices remain the best methods to avoid triggering an avalanche involving the old snow layers. 

     

     

    (1/9/2025)

    Natural persistent slab avalanche that likely failed 1/7 on weak layers formed early season on the ground. Slab depths ranged from 2-3'

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

The Salt and Wyoming Ranges are expected to receive 2-4" of new snow today.  Northwest winds are expected to be strongest in the morning before the snow begins to fall this afternoon. Stay alert for isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow that may develop later today at high elevations. Keep an eye out for signs of instability such as cracking, and the formation of small drifts. Move to terrain sheltered from the wind if you're finding signs of instability developing.

The spatial distribution of snow depth varies across this forecast zone. Areas of the Salt River Range contain around 20” of more snow than areas of the Wyoming Range. This is important to acknowledge as areas with a shallower snowpack generally have a weaker snowpack. A shallower snowpack also means that the overlying slab above the persistent weak layers is thinner and easier to trigger an avalanche. Therefore, if you’re traveling around the Wyoming Range or any area with a shallower snowpack, you should use more conservative terrain choices. Persistent slab avalanches are difficult to predict. Obvious signs of instability such as recent avalanches, collapsing, or shooting cracks may not be present before triggering an avalanche. We have been seeing positive trends of increased stability in the buried weak layers during our travels last week. We are not out of the weeds quite yet though. Be patient, there will be plenty of days later in the season where stepping out into more complex terrain will be safer with less severe consequences.

Salt River Range:  Total Snow Depth- 64" (Commissary Ridge 9,330')

Wyoming Range: Total Snow Depth- 45" ( Blind Bull 9,000')

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