Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avoid steep slopes where you find evidence of windblown snow. Slides could also break into buried weak layers, producing a more dangerous avalanche. These are most likely above 9,000 feet and could be triggered remotely—from gentler terrain below, above, and to the sides of steep slopes. Be alert to the consequences of being caught in an avalanche in the terrain you are traveling in.

A large avalanche was remotely two days ago in Mosquito Creek. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    The string of triggered slabs over the past week is a great demonstration that we have weak layers of snow buried in the upper portion of the snowpack across the board. Recent snowfall has built a hefty slab on the March 20 interface that is composed of slick crusts, facets, or some combination of these. This interface is now 2-3 feet deep.  You are most likely to trigger this problem where a slab tapers in depth (below cliffs, in steep or rocky features with sparse trees, and in areas on steep slopes that have high continuity or are convex). These types of interfaces don't always heal quickly, especially with little relief from additional snowfall. When walking out the door today, remember that despite being later in the spring, you will be greeted with a mid-winter snowpack in the backcountry. This layer can be found in pits, and I was able to find it (and remotely trigger it) in the Snake River Range several days ago.

    The Wyoming Range continues to have a thin and tricky snowpack with layers of weak snow near the ground and mid-pack. Triggering an avalanche on the above layer could step down and trigger a very large avalanche deeper in the snowpack.

    Avalanches on steep slopes at low elevations will remain possible today and on any day with the possibility of a clearing. Cloud cover is particularly fickle in spring. Any direct sunshine for consistent periods of time will create instability on W-S-E aspects. 

    (3/27/2023)

    Mosquito Creek Area remote triggered avalanche that failed on March 20th weak layer. 2-3' crown depth. D2 R3

    Photo: Will Mook

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Consistent light to moderate winds today will continue to re-sculpt recent snowfall. Amounts will vary greatly across this zone, but there is broadly plenty of new snow available for transport. In many areas today you may encounter stiff, densely-packed drifts and slabs. Due to the strength of these winds during the storm, as well as continued shifting winds today, you may find these slabs in atypical locations or loading cross-slope. Today's wind slabs are likely becoming more stubborn as time passes, but the wind will continue to work surface snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

Every time we get to enter the backcountry, it is the chance to view our surroundings with a child-like curiosity.  When it all boils down to it, skiing or sledding is a chance to play outside with our friends and be in a phenomenally interesting compound (snow) that is in a constant state of change. As you move through the mountains, take the time to observe the nature of the snow you are traveling through. How has the wind reshaped the snowpack overnight, and why does the snow you are moving through feel and look like it does? Look for areas where the wind has scoured down and revealed old ski and sled tracks underneath. Is yesterday's track now nowhere to be found due to winds continuing to move snow? This process of observation is one of the most powerful tools in our safe backcountry travel in our toolkit. It is also what enables us to sniff out areas with good, stable skiing and riding, and makes us masters of our own exposure to hazards. There is always something new (and usually something older to track) in the world of snow, we just have to choose to look.

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