Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today it will be possible to trigger a large avalanche 1-3 feet deep, particularly in steep, wind loaded terrain.  You're most likely to trigger an avalanche in areas where wind has drifted snow and brought weak layers closer to the surface.   Evaluate terrain carefully around steep slopes and when riding near terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow was buried 1-3 feet below a cohesive slab of snow that accumulated last week. This problem exists at mid and upper elevations. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche in steep, wind loaded terrain on west through north through east aspects. Watch out for rocky areas, cliffs and thin convexities where you will more easily impact the weak layer.  Look for pillows, drifts and signs of wind loading where the persistent slab problem is further stressed. Dig down and assess stability where you are riding. You may or may not see clues like collapsing or cracking before triggering an avalanche.  Tracks on a slope are not a definitive indicator of stability. When in doubt or if you want to play it safe, ride lower angle terrain.

    In steep terrain, watch for loose dry snow avalanching. This problem can entrain more snow than you think and has the potential to knock you off your feet or possibly impact deeper weak layers in the snowpack.

     

    (2/12/2024)

    Avalanche near Blind Bull 9100' N aspect steep 37deg slopes

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak snow from December was buried in early January. In areas of the Greys zone with a deeper snowpack like the Salt River and Snake River zones,this weak layer is 3-5 feet deep and exists at middle and upper elevations. We have not seen an avalanche fail on this layer in areas with a deeper snowpack and it will take a very large trigger for this to happen. In parts of the zone with a more shallow snowpack (parts of the Wyoming Range, Hoback, Palmer Creek, and Little Greys), this weak layer can be more easily impacted. You are most likely to find this problem on west through north through east aspects but due to the high variability of snowpack depths throughout the zone, your best bet is to dig down or trench your sled and see what’s beneath you.

    (2/12/2024)

    Two avalanches pictured off Prospect Peak. The avalanche on the left had impressive propagation. Both likely failed on old snow buried Jan 4th. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

The number one problem remains the persistent slab. The February 2nd interface is currently buried 1-3 feet. Avalanche observations are trending downward but we continue to see observations trickling in that indicate it still has the propensity to propagate if the underlying weak layer is impacted. With the incoming storm, some areas of the forecast zone could be loaded with an additional 1.5 inches of water by the end of the week. Continue to dig down and investigate the snow beneath you and choose conservative terrain as the snowpack adjusts. 

Steep, rocky, wind affected terrain on the north half of the compass remains suspect.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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