Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 8,500 feet, weak snow grains lie at the base of the snowpack under a dense slab of snow. While the likelihood of triggering this slab has gone down, the consequences of being involved in an avalanche on these layers would be an unsurvivable event. Good techniques of traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain and carrying rescue equipment will help manage one’s exposure. At the lower elevations, where the hazard is Low, avalanches are unlikely and would be small in size.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers that began being buried on December 5th are now 3 to 8 feet below the snow’s surface. It will take a large trigger or crossing a thin spot in the slab to release an avalanche and will most likely be on steep, unsupported slopes. Although the chances of triggering a large to very large avalanche are unlikely, it is NOT impossible, and while slopes may feel stable, it is important to remember the significant avalanche cycle that occurred on these weak layers just one week ago.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Dry weather will continue to dominate across the region. Skies are expected to be partly cloudy. Ridgetop winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour should back to the west by morning. The day should start with a weak temperature inversion with valleys in the single digits and mountains in the teens. Throughout the day, temperatures are expected to warm into the upper twenties. Currently, the avalanche hazard rating of Moderate above 8,500 feet is representing the classic high consequence low probability situation. Where the odds of skiers and riders triggering an avalanche is low, the consequences of being involved are unsurvivable. It will take a large trigger or crossing a thin spot in the slab to release an avalanche and will most likely be on steep, unsupportable slopes. In the Grey’s River and Teton forecast areas, triggering these slides is unlikely but NOT impossible. In the Togwotee Pass area, where snow depths are shallower and colder temperatures have caused less settlement, it remains possible for backcountry travelers to trigger a large avalanche.

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