Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Deeply buried weak layers continue to create an unlikely chance of triggering a 3-5 foot thick slab in steep, rocky and wind-affected terrain. The unlikely potential to trigger one of these large avalanche keeps our avalanche danger Moderate today. Evaluate the snow by digging or probing in order to avoid the thin spots in a slab where triggering this weak layer is most likely. 

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Deeply buried weak layers continue to be a concern in steep, rocky areas that make it more likely for a skier or rider to trigger a thinner spot in the overlying slab. Consider strategies to avoid thin spots if you enter consequential terrain. Probe, dig or otherwise be aware of terrain factors that make it more likely find and trigger a thin spot. Triggering is unlikely for numerous reasons but remains a concern. The storm arriving this weekend will give this layer another test, especially if wind loading occurs.

    Digging a pit in the Palisades to assess the trend in weak snow and how reactive it is remaining on certain aspects.

    Photo: Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

BTAC forecasters continue to monitor the evolution of the snowpack, particularly the facets and crusts from Nov 27 that were responsible for the few larger avalanche occurances this season. The stubborn slab above this layer is doing a fine job bridging across most terrain and otherwise protecting that layer from collapsing, so much so that you might not even know the layer is there unless you dig a deep hole or probe. If you are planning to step out into more consequential terrain today, remember that a stubborn avalanche problem still has a sweet spot somewhere. Gabrielle summarized the location where triggering through the variable thickness snowpack is "most possible" in yesterday's forecast: a) steep terrain, b) ranging on the southern half of the compass, and c) wind-loaded slopes. Carefully assessing these types of slopes increases your odds at avoiding trouble in these areas where avalanches are "most possible."

Significant snowfall arrives this weekend, bringing more water weight, step-down potential and slab tearing potential from surface slabs. It should be interesting to see how it plays out....from  lower angled, powder covered terrain. 

Regions covered