Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The avalanche danger is Considerable at all elevations today. New snow and wind are forming wind slabs on lee slopes. Shifting wind direction throughout the storm has formed slabs on multiple aspects. Triggering a wind slab can result in an avalanche large enough to bury a person. Watch for signs of unstable snow, such as recent avalanches, cracking and collapsing. Ensure your safe zones are truly safe and have a back-up plan while traveling in the mountains today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to three feet thick exist on steep, wind loaded slopes. Identify loaded slopes and terrain features by their smooth, rounded appearance. Hollow sounding snow, and shooting cracks are indicators a slab is present. Avoid steep, wind loaded slopes and be conservative with your terrain selection. Triggering a wind slab today could have catastrophic results due to the large volume of snow that sits above the crust.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Loose dry avalanches are possible on steep sheltered slopes. These slides will start small but can grow in size quickly and can entrain enough snow to knock a skier or rider off their feet. Remember even small slides can have catastrophic outcomes if you are carried into a terrain trap.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will continue through the night and taper off through Friday. The Tetons and Togwotee Pass could see 4-7” and the Southwest Trails area could pick up 3-5”. Some westerly facing slopes could see intense orographic snowfall in the early morning hours. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, and temperatures will rise into the mid-twenties. Winds will veer from southwest to west in the early morning and average 20-25 mph.Wind slabs will continue to be the primary concern Friday due to the ongoing storm. Wind direction has shifted since the storm began four days ago, building wind slabs on multiple aspects. Slab depth could be up to three feet deep above 8,000 feet. Identify loaded slopes and terrain features by their smooth, rounded appearance and watch for shooting cracks. Loose dry avalanches may be possible to trigger on steeper, sheltered slopes. These slides will be small but could become big problems if caught and carried into a terrain trap. The avalanche danger in the Tetons will remain Considerable above 7,500 feet. Below 7,500 feet avalanches are less likely and expected to be small. The Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas will have Considerable avalanche danger above 8,000 feet, and Moderate danger below. Expect the lower elevations to move to Considerable danger if they receive the upper end of forecasted snowfall amounts

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