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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Highlights

Strong winds and heavy snowfall have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Wind slabs have increased in depth and are more widely distributed than they have been. These dangerous slides are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. Natural releases are possible. These slides can capture skiers and riders, run long distances and can produce significant areas of avalanche debris deposition. Very large destructive deep slab avalanches continue to be a concern at the upper elevations. The WYDOT triggered a large slide on Teton Pass early this morning that crossed the highway. Similar events could be human triggered or release naturally today. Expert terrain analysis and route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong southwest winds have created areas of wind slab. These soft surface slabs can be easily triggered by humans on steep avalanche prone slopes at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are expected to be one to two feet deep but could be up to three feet deep in some areas. Pockets of wind slab up to a foot in depth could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and on steep banks and road cuts at the lower elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    At the upper elevations (above 9,000 feet) deep hard slabs with depths to five feet continue to be a concern on northwest to northeast aspects. Areas of blowing snow have rapidly loaded avalanche starting zones and increased the potential for deep slab avalanche occurrences. These deep slabs are very destructive and survival is unlikely.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The main brunt of this storm system will impact the region overnight and should continue to favor the Teton Range, Snake River and Salt River Ranges. Another five to eight inches of new snow will accmulate in those ranges by tomorrow morning. Lesser amounts are to be expected in the Wyoming and Gros Ventre Ranges and the Togwotee Pass area. Snowfall is expected to decrease on Wednesday with another one to three inches possible in the mountains. Temperatures will remain in the single digits and teens in the mountains. Winds will veer back to the west overnight and slowly decrease from 35 to 20 miles per hour during the next 24 hours. Wind slabs will continue to grow in size and distribution overnight and into Wednesday. These slabs will build to depths of two feet and are likely to be sensitive to human triggers in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. The added load to our deep persistent slabs at the upper elevations merits a conservative approach to terrain selection. Large dangerous slabs with depths to six feet are possible on shaded aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. Human triggered avalanches are likely and large dangerous deep slab avalanches are possible.

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