Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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 initially be Low this morning.  Direct sunlight and rising temperatures will quickly weaken the snow surface and increase the danger rating to Moderate as the chance for wet slide activity develops. Mountain temperatures are to reach into the mid-forties today and backcountry travelers are encouraged to recreate early to avoid the risks of avalanche involvement. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Inversion conditions continue with overnight lows near 30 degrees at the upper elevations while the valley temperatures dropped into the single digits. Today's highs look to be the warmest yet, with temperatures reaching the mid-forties. Wet slides could start as point releases in any steep terrain including road cuts, cliff areas, and even treed slopes.  Slides could become large in long avalanche paths and have some potential to release as wet slabs. Warm afternoons will also weaken cornices that could fail naturally and possibly trigger avalanches on the slopes below.

    (2/21/2025)

    Large wet avalanche that occured a week ago. 

  • 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

March is beginning with full diurnal spring conditions. Even though temperatures at higher elevations are starting just below freezing, snow surfaces will have undergone a hard freeze given the radiational cooling that occurs on clear nights.  As these melt-freeze cycles continue, wet slide activity will typically decrease but we are only a few days into the cycle and natural wet slide activity is still expected to occur today.  

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