Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Higher elevations have received up to 20 inches of new snow since Thursday. South to west winds have formed new slabs on leeward aspects.These slabs have the potential to entrain significant amounts of snow on very steep, sustained slopes. Backcountry users could trigger large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches in some areas above 7,500 feet. The snowpack is mostly stable below 7,500 feet. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely below that elevation.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    One to two inches of moisture has been added to the snowpack during the past several days. Backcountry travelers could trigger persistent deep slab avalanches with depths up to five feet in some areas above 7,500 feet. These low probability/high consequence avalanches are more likely to be triggered where faceted snow from December resides less than three feet below the snow surface. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or cornice failures, are more likely to trigger one of these large dangerous slabs.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southerly to westerly ridge top winds have formed wind slabs up to two feet in depth on leeward aspects. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs on steep, wind-loaded slopes above an elevation of 7,500 feet.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The snowfall has begun to taper off. Overnight snowfall is expected to be light with only a few inches of new snow expected in most locations. Some convective bands of snow shower activity could form and deliver intense bursts of snowfall in isolated areas. Gusty west winds will continue wind slab formation.Some breaks in the clouds and areas of light snow are possible on Monday. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and rise into the upper 20s in the valleys. Westerly winds will increase and become gusty in the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the higher elevations in areas that have been favored by the recent snowfall. Mid elevations and upper elevations that have received less snow are expected to have a MODEARTE hazard rating. A LOW hazard is expected below an elevation of 7,500 feet. In the mountains dense wind slabs one to three in depth could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Some potential remains for humans to trigger dangerous deep slab avalanches to depth of five feet on deeply buried layers of weak faceted snow.

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