Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weak layers are buried in the snowpack across all aspects and elevations creating dangerous avalanche conditions. Although natural avalanches are not expected, human triggered avalanches 2-4 feet deep are likely on steep slopes. Last night, the forecast area received 6 inches of new snow adding strain to the snowpack which could increase the likelihood of triggering a slide. Avoid being caught in an avalanche by staying off steep slopes and instead travel in lower angle terrain 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent weak layers formed during November are buried 2-4 feet deep across all aspects and elevations. Over the last several days, these layers have been sensitive to human triggering with one report of two snowmobilers fully buried. Remote triggering of these layers could also be possible with observations of cracks propagating over 200 feet. 6 inches of new snow overnight added additional stress to these weak layers, possibly increasing the layer’s sensitivity to triggers.

Avalanche Discussion

The main concern today is widespread persistent weak layers.  These persistent weak layers are buried 2-4 feet deep and vary across aspects. Cold and mostly dry conditions in November created weak faceted snow on northely aspects. Southerly aspects contain melt freeze crusts with poor bonding structure to the upper portion of the snowpack, creating soft and hard slabs that could easily be triggered. Two days ago, an avalanche was initially reported involving three snowmobilers in Willow creek. Two riders were fully buried. The third was partially buried, able to extricate and rescue the other members. Last night the Greys area recieved 6 inches of new snow even in lower elevations. Moderate winds out of the SW could have transported this new snow onto wind loaded features. This aditional loading from both new snow and possible wind slabs will increase the sensitivity of weak layers. 

Regions covered