Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  2–3

  Snowmobilers and skiers can trigger large hard slab avalanches failing on very weak snow that formed during December. In the middle and upper elevations, avalanches could break 2 to 4 feet deep. Below 7,500’ slab depths will be in the 1 to 2 foot range. Avalanches continue to be triggered on all aspects (shaded and sunny) at all elevations. Slabs could be triggered from a distance, by the first rider, or even wait until the last person in your group is riding the slope to release. Avalanches have the potential to propagate long distances, including entire slopes. Because of this, avoid terrain that is connected to avalanche paths and give runout zones a wide margin. This also means being aware of the terrain that is above you, as remote triggering is possible. Typical safe zones should be reconsidered when traveling below steep terrain. This includes terrain traps such as steep cutbanks and gullies. For the time being, sticking to low angle terrain with little consequence is the best way to mitigate this problem.

  Additional Discussion: Rain on Snow

  Areas below 7,000’ saw significant rain on snow yesterday. Overnight temperatures in the valleys barely dipped below freezing. Be extra cautious of low elevation slopes if temperatures warm significantly today, as the recent rain and lack of a solid freeze could make natural activity more likely.

  

• 

  Deep Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  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. Recent loading and warm temperatures are keeping this weak layer on the radar. These very large avalanches are most likely to occur when an avalanche triggered in the most recent snow steps down to weak old 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.