Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very large slab avalanches could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes in areas with poor snowpack structure. Large triggers like snowmachines and cornice drops are more likely to trigger one of these dangerous slabs. Previous tracks may not be an indication of stability. Wind slabs could also be triggered by humans in very steep terrain at the higher elevations. Wet snow avalanches are possible on very steep terrain features at the lower elevations. A careful evaluation of the snow structure and conservative terrain choices are warranted in areas which exhibit poor snow structure.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Areas with poor snowpack structure exist and the weight of a single person is still sufficient to trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche in these areas. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure, are more likely than an individual skier to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. Slab depths are likely to vary from four to eight feet at the higher elevations and one to three feet at the lower elevations. Warming temperatures may increase the sensitivity of these dangerous slabs to human triggers.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At the higher elevations small to large pockets of wind slab could be triggered by skiers and riders in very steep, avalanche prone terrain. These slabs could be 1 to 2 feet deep.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Pacific moisture will begin to stream over the forecast area tonight. Snow showers will develop and could bring 2 to 4 inches of new snow to the mountains overnight. Snow chances will decrease on Wednesday morning, before increasing again by noon. This increase will infiltrate from south to north through the afternoon and into the evening. An additional 4 to 8 inches is expected by Thursday morning with locally higher amounts possible in the highest favored terrain. Conditions will be milder. Temperatures will be in the teens tonight and rise into the 20s and 30s during the day. Snow may mix with rain as the freezing level rises to 6,000 to 7,000 feet. Winds will be from the south-southwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour with higher gusts.Very large deep persistent slabs avalanches could be human triggered on very steep avalanche prone slopes in areas with poor snow structure. These dangerous slabs could be 4 to 8 feet deep. Larger triggers like snowmachines and cornice drops are more likely to trigger one of these dangerous slabs. Previous tracks may not be an indication of stability. Pockets of older wind slab and small pockets of new wind slab could also be triggered by humans in very steep terrain at the higher elevations. The general avalanche hazard is forecast to be moderate. A careful evaluation of the snow structure and conservative terrain choices are warranted in areas which exhibit poor snow structure.

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