Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Temperature inversions strengthened overnight with the mountains starting out up to 20 degrees warmer than the valleys. Yesterday, a snowmobiler triggered a three foot deep slab on a northeast facing aspect around 9,500 feet in the Salt River Range. He was caught, deployed an airbag and ended up on top. On Friday, large to very large slab avalanches were remotely triggered in the northern portion of the forecast zone. These events are stark reminders that persistent slab avalanches remain a serious threat. Similar large to very large persistent slabs could be triggered today. As the day warms, these slabs could become more sensitive to human triggers on slopes impacted by the sun. Cautious route finding and conservative decision-making are the best tools to mitigate this hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger deadly persistent slab avalanches on a variety of aspects and elevations. In the higher elevations, these slabs could range in depth from two to four feet. At the lower elevations, where the snowpack is thinner, the underlying faceted weak layers are more easily impacted. Down there, slabs are likely to range from one to two feet deep. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or groups of people, are more likely to impact the underlying faceted weak layers. These persistent weak layers vary significantly across the landscape, and previous tracks should not be considered as a sign of stability.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mostly clear skies will continue tonight and through the day on Sunday. Temperature inversions will strengthen overnight with the valleys dropping into the negative single digits. Mountain temperatures will fall to near 10 degrees tonight before climbing to around 20 degrees in the afternoon. Northerly ridgetop winds will be light before picking up to 15 to 20 miles per hour out of the west to northwest by mid-morning.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the Teton and Southwest Trails forecast zones, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable in the mountains on Sunday. On a variety of aspects and elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from two to four feet in steep, avalanche terrain. As the day warms, these slabs could become more prone to failure on sunlit aspects. In similar terrain on Togwotee Pass, skiers and riders have the potential of triggering smaller persistent slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet. There, the hazard is expected to remain Moderate. The weak, persistent faceted layers vary significantly across the landscape. Conservative terrain choices and cautious route finding are your best tools to mitigate this hazard.

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