Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 7,500 feet where persistent weak layers of faceted snow are present on a variety of aspects. Whumphing and collapsing of the snowpack are bullseye indications of these instabilities. In steep, avalanche prone terrain, skiers and riders could trigger small to very large persistent slab avalanches failing on these weak layers. Don’t let previous tracks lull you into thinking that a slope is safe. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Below 7,500 feet, avalanche activity will likely be limited to small, isolated pockets of slab on steep terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Above 7,500 feet, several weak layers of faceted snow can be found in the Southwest Trails forecast zone, and they vary significantly across the landscape. Buried surface hoar and near surface facets, along with faceted snow surrounding crusts, are present in the snowpack. Well-developed faceted snow near the base of the snowpack is the primary concern. While these basal weak layers are rounding, skiers and riders could still easily trigger persistent slab avalanches failing on these layers with depths ranging from two to five feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to trigger these deadly slabs. Conservative terrain choices are the best tool to manage this hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Northwesterly flow aloft will bring partly cloudy skies and dry conditions through Sunday afternoon before the chance for light snowfall develops. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising to around 20 in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will back to the west at 15 to 25 miles per hour.On Sunday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate in the Teton and Togwotee Pass forecast zones. In the Tetons, the primary weak layers of faceted snow are rounding, deeply buried and difficult to trigger. However, the consequences of involvement in one of the resulting large to very large persistent slabs is high, and a fatal outcome is possible. On the other hand, the snowpack on Togwotee Pass has poor structure, but the overlying slabs are substantially smaller.The Southwest Trails forecast zone has the worst components of the other two forecast zones. The underlying structure is similar to Togwotee Pass, and the overlying slabs are near the depth of those found in the Tetons. This scenario results in dangerous avalanche conditions, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable.

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