Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The Avalanche Warning has been downgraded to an Avalanche Bulletin. The storm that was to bring significant snowfall overnight and throughout the day has moved south of the area. However, the chance for natural avalanche activity continues and riders and skiers could easily trigger newly formed wind slabs at the high elevations as well as slabs that lie upon older weak layers at all elevations. These older weaknesses will be most sensitive at the low elevations where faceted snow is prevalent and where warming and some rain has further weakened the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Buried layers of weak snow persist at all elevations. Slabs that lie upon these weaknesses could be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers today. These slabs could be hard or soft, and could have depths to six feet. These slabs will be most sensitive at low elevations where heavy snow and rain have weakened a snowpack underlain by faceted snow. Steep slopes, road cuts and roof slides could release naturally today. Caution is strongly advised as several feet of snow over the last two weeks have raised the chances to trigger very large and dangerous avalanches.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The possibility exists to trigger newly formed wind slabs at the high elevations. Strong southwest to west winds have formed dense slabs on leeward slopes near peaks and along ridge crests. Slab depths to two feet could be easily triggered and once triggered could step down to deeper weaknesses in the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The storm system is to continue to bring heavy snowfall through Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through 5pm Thursday. Thursday is to be slightly warmer than today with mountain highs in the mid twenties and valleys reaching the upper thirties. Periods of rain are possible at low elevations during the afternoon. One to two feet of additional snow is possible by the end of Thursday. Stronger southwest winds with averages of thirty to forty miles per hour are likely during this period. The avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH on Thursday and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Large avalanches could be easily triggered by a single rider or skier on a variety of aspects and elevations. Naturally triggered avalanches are also likely, particularly in areas of significant wind loading.

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