Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You can trigger an avalanche that breaks up to three feet deep where wind-drifted slabs rest over weak snow. Slabs failing on weak layers in sheltered terrain are less likely but can't be ruled out entirely. Multiple sets of tracks may exist on a slope before it avalanches. Reduce your risk by sticking to low and middle-elevation, sheltered slopes not connected to steeper terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A new round of weak snow was buried on February 2nd. These weak layers are most consistent on east, north, and west-facing slopes and have slightly less potential on southerly aspects. This interface is now buried 2 to 3 feet on average. In the last week, human-triggered avalanches have been reported on this layer. This avalanche problem can be remotely triggered from flat terrain or propagate widely across terrain features.  Shooting cracks or collapses are a clear sign of danger, but these obvious signs of instability will not always show themselves before an avalanche releases. 

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONSnowfall amounts will vary today into tomorrow. Wind-drifted snow will be sensitive today and also holds the potential for triggering a larger avalanche. Expect avalanche conditions to worsen if you find 8 inches or more of new or wind-blown snow. You can find safer travel options on wind-sheltered south and southwest slopes at lower elevations and by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees that aren't connected to steeper terrain above, next to, or below. 

    (2/7/2024)

    This avalanche occurred on Feb 7 in the Snake River Range on a NE aspect off a small ridgeline at 8800'.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    There are old faceted weak layers near the ground that are more stubborn to human triggers. These dense old slabs may not give warning signs before release; they are most commonly triggered from terrain features with shallow or variable snowpacks or if avalanches in the upper snowpack gain enough mass to step down.  

    It will be easiest to impact weak snow from December in areas where the snowpack remains shallow. Parts of the Wyoming Range, including the upper Hoback, Palmer Creek, and Little Greys, still have shallow, weak snowpacks. The Snake and Salt River Ranges have deeper snowpacks, making it more difficult to impact deeply buried weak snow. In these areas, the easiest way to trigger one of these avalanches will be with another avalanche that breaks in the most recent snow.

Avalanche Discussion

Avoiding avalanche terrain is pretty simple. Deciding when and where to engage with avalanche terrain is very complex. We have patterns of weak snow and slabs that vary widely by aspect and elevation and between ranges in this individual zone. If you want to avoid areas where triggering an avalanche is trending less likely, you must think, plan, and check snow in the field. The likelihood of triggering avalanches on these weak layers is tricky, particularly with the slow loading of the layers but increasing winds today.  When you're out in the mountains today, think about the trends we've been seeing with recent activity rearing its head, and whether this combination of weak layers and slab exists in the terrain you are in. In many places, you can confirm whether or not that weak snow exists by probing the snow and digging any sort of test pit. The danger may be moderate, but the snowpack differs everywhere you go. Avoiding terrain with the following characteristics and giving slopes more time can help reduce your risk:

  • Windy. Is there evidence of wind loading? Does the terrain seem exposed to the wind?
  • Steep. Is the terrain above 35 deg? Does it roll over?
  • Shaded. Nearly all recent avalanches have occurred on slopes with a northern tilt.
  • Rocky. Again, many of the recent avalanches have occurred in areas that are rocky or above cliff bands 

Regions covered