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
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day with temperatures rising well above freezing and strong solar influence destabilizing the top portion of the snowpack. Triggering wet slab avalanches on steep slopes facing the sun will be possible today. Transition away from these slopes if you encounter wet snow and are sinking significantly into a slushy snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Above freezing temperatures last night with temperatures climbing over 40°F across all elevations will make wet slab avalanches possible on slopes facing the sun. These slabs will be 1-2 feet deep failing on multiple interfaces (such as crusts) in the top of the snowpack. Old wind slabs where density breaks exist could transition to behave as wet slabs and become reactive. These avalanches will be possible by the afternoon with clear skies and sunshine destabilizing the snowpack. Natural wet loose avalanches will be likely. These avalanches start at a point and can entrain large amounts of snow and push into terrain traps. Expect to see increased wet avalanche activity around rock features that heat up surrounding snow surfaces. Look for signs of warming such as pinwheels and roller balls. These avalanche problems are difficult to predict, so when in doubt, add larger safety margins into your travel plans.

    Cornice Falls: Increased temperatures and sunshine will destabilize cornices. Give cornices a wide margin of safety and be careful along ridgelines as they can break further back than expected. Limit exposure under cornices where natural falls could occur and trigger an avalanche on deep weak layers as seen recently on The Wedge. Human triggered avalanches on deep weak layers is very unlikely. 

    (3/19/2024)

    Wet slab from a previous warm up triggered in the afternoon that failed on a crust interface. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Today is going to be a downright warm day in the mountains. Last night most weather stations recorded temperatures in the mountains above freezing except the highest stations above 10,000’. Breezy wind likely created a superficial refreeze of snow surfaces last night that will deteriorate quickly. Temperatures are expected to increase approximately 10°F warmer than yesterday. Even elevations above the forecast boundary of 10,500’ will reach 40°F. Expect temperatures in the mountains to range from 45-60°F. A light SW breeze will continue today. 

Free water will begin flowing through the snowpack due to these high temperatures and strong solar influence today. This will start to destabilize the snowpack from the top down. Interfaces such as crusts and density breaks from wind drifted snow could become reactive and fail as wet slabs. Natural avalanches like this are unlikely, whereas human triggered avalanches are possible. Wet and slushy snow is a clear indication of this destabilization.  Steep southeast slopes will warm first followed by south and then southwest. Lower elevation slopes will also warm earlier in the day. Plan your travels accordingly to seek cooler and shaded aspects by the afternoon. 

Forecast Outlook Tomorrow: Weather forecasts are showing temperatures above freezing again tonight with continued temperatures well above freezing again tomorrow. For those folks planning early alpine starts tomorrow, expect avalanche danger to increase if conditions line up. Snow surfaces will warm faster than today and require extra travel planning as natural avalanche activity could be more likely tomorrow. 

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