Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise throughout the day as another storm system moves in. Human triggered avalanches will be possible on steep, wind loaded slopes. An avalanche breaking within the new snow could step down into buried weak layers. As snowfall rates increase, dial back terrain choices and carefully evaluate steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    By the end of the day, it will be easy to trigger fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes, especially at upper elevations on slopes facing north through east. Look for fresh, pillowy looking snow and pay attention to where the wind is actively transporting snow. A wind slab could fail within todays snow, yesterdays snow, or overload deeper layers and break further down in the snowpack, wider than you might expect. Shooting cracks around your skis or sled are a sign that a slope is unstable.

    Avalanche in steep wind loaded terrain at upper elevation, breaking into buried weak layers.

    Photo: BTAC

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak snow formed in November sits at the bottom of the snowpack. While the chance of triggering an avalanche on this layer is unlikely, an avalanche failing within the new snow could put enough weight on the snowpack to break deeper into old snow. Very steep, shallow, rocky areas are most suspect where a rider could trigger a slide 2-4 feet deep.

    Persistent slab avalanche 10,050, North, near Sheep Pass.

Avalanche Discussion

Recent snow has bonded well to the old snow surface and at the time of this forecast the avalanche danger is Moderate. The chances of a natural avalanche happening are unlikely and it is possible for humans to trigger an avalanche, where our avalanche problems lie on the aspect/elevation rose. Given the current weather forecast and uncertainty of how much snow we will actually get, the avalanche danger should slowly increase throughout the day.

That said, weather forecasting for mountain snow has variability. Stay observant, and if you see conditions changing faster than expected, the avalanche hazard is likely changing as well. If snowfall rates exceed 1 inch per hour for a couple of hours and winds are transporting snow, the avalanche hazard has likely increased. Today, that would mean an increase to Considerable danger, where human triggered avalanches are likely.

Stay vigilant and adapt your terrain choices as the weather changes.

If you are able to get out in the Salt or Wyoming Ranges, please share your observations here. Thanks!

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