Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger will begin at Low and rise to Moderate as the day warms. Wet snow avalanches are possible on steep, rocky slopes that face the sun. Monitor the snow surface as the day warms, and consider exiting the mountains if you are sinking into slushy snow or see signs of wet avalanche activity. Surface wet snow avalanches and cornice failure can also trigger larger avalanches on deeper, weak snow. Terrain near or under cornices should be given a wide buffer.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

     As the day heats up, more slopes will become unstable. Yesterday, wet loose avalanches were reported on very steep, sunny slopes. These avalanches are possible again today. Wet loose avalanches start at a "point," usually the base of a warm rock or tree, and fan out to gather snow as they move. They are most problematic in confined terrain or on large slopes where they accumulate a lot of snow. They can also trigger larger, deeper avalanches if they entrain more snow as they travel downhill. Rollerballs, or small snowballs rolling off steep terrain, can be a useful indicator that the snow surface is weakening and wet loose slides may happen.

    Cornices should be given a wide berth when traveling along ridgelines or on slopes below these features.  

    (2/28/2025)

    Natural wet avalanche activity in Clause Creek. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A very slight chance continues for snow that is buried 3-4 under the surface to release as a hard slab avalanche today.  This slab is becoming more dormant after each melt-freeze cycle. However, activity involving it can not be ruled out during the afternoons when the snowpack is the weakest; larger triggers, such as a cornice drop or a moving wet slide, may be necessary to initiate failure in this layer, and it is only possible in the steepest of terrain in and around cliffs. 

     

    (2/25/2025)

    Large, natural persistent slab avalanche that failed on a very steep, rocky and unsupported slope near Smoot. 

Avalanche Discussion

Another classic early spring day is in store today, with more cloud cover rolling in as an incoming cold front approaches. Overnight lows were slightly warmer than yesterday, averaging a one to two-degree difference with primarily clear overnight skies. Upper elevations dipped below freezing around 7 PM and dropped to 25°F by 3 AM. Mid elevations experienced a lighter freeze, with stations dipping below freezing at midnight and dropping to 29 degF by 2 AM. Again, daytime highs are expected to reach the upper 30s at 10,000’. Cloud cover is expected to roll in midday.  

Limited wet avalanche activity was observed yesterday afternoon. Most activity was small and confined to steep south-facing slopes near rocks and cliff bands or at low elevations. This is most likely due to the adequate overnight freezes we have experienced during this spell of high pressure. It remains important to get out early and return early. Ideally, you won’t see any signs of instability if your timing is right. Exiting the mountains by noon is a good rule of thumb for the current conditions. With warm weather, it's time to remind ourselves of W.U.T.A.N.G. (yes, a silly acronym for wet snow conditions). It stands for Wet (if the snow surface you find is wet), Unconsolidated (re: mush), Terrain (steep enough to produce an avalanche), Aspect (south-facing typically), Non-refrozen (no hard overnight freeze), and Glide (not really an issue here, but a few pockets hang out in select terrain). It's easy to remember; these are all things to keep on your radar anytime there is increasing solar input to the snowpack. Forecasting the transition from a dry to a wet snowpack is fascinating and unpredictable. Adding liquid water to a snowpack takes the complexity to the next level. Monitor the snow surface, keep overhead hazards in mind, and be prepared to adjust your plans if the snow becomes too wet or you begin to see signs of wet avalanche activity. 

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