Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger today above 8,500' is Moderate. Heightened avalanche conditions exist today in steep terrain where a persistent layer of weak snow can be found near the ground. It remains possible for the weight of a skier or rider to trigger a deep slab avalanche, possibly from a distance or from below, in places where this layer exists. While triggering this type of avalanche is trending towards unlikely, the consequences of being caught would be dire. Evaluate terrain carefully and dig to identify the presence of this weak layer before committing to steep terrain. Tracks on a slope are not an indication that the slope is stable and free of this weak layer. At lower elevations and on sunny aspects, recent warm temperatures, wet snow or rain have created a crust that has helped to stabilize the snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Slab depths over the December 5th interface of weak faceted snow and crusts vary from 3 to 8 feet depending on aspect and elevation. A hard slab has formed in many locations over this layer. The most recent avalanche activity on this layer is a reminder that it may remain reactive to triggers like snowmobiles and passing skiers. When dealing with persistent weak layers that are buried several feet deep, warning signs such as cracking and collapsing will probably NOT be encountered and previous tracks do NOT indicate stability.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Slightly warmer temperatures under sunny skies are on tap for tomorrow as high pressure remains in place. Expect high temperatures in the thirties tomorrow afternoon with a light westerly wind in the mountains. Solar gain on sunny aspects is unlikely to contribute to anything other than some surface instabilities. The main problem tomorrow will be the lingering risk of triggering a very large avalanche on the buried, weak snow which leads us to a Moderate danger rating. The potential remains for a skier or rider to trigger the weak layer over a thin spot in the slab. In some steep and previously wind loaded areas, the resulting slab could be well over five feet thick and unsurvivable. Keeping to lower angled slopes at middle and upper elevations is the best way to avoid this problem. Stepping into steep, wind-loaded, or unsupported terrain with consequences may be the best way to find this problem.

Regions covered