Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 8,000 feet, rising temperatures and sunshine will increase the likelihood for skiers and riders to trigger small to large wind slabs involving the recent snowfall, and natural activity could develop. Daytime warming will also bring about the possibility of wet slides on steep, sunlit slopes. Don’t let recent snowfall, sunshine or the weekend timeframe impair your judgement. Monitor warming temperatures and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces start to become damp. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely below 8,000 feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Daytime warming and sunshine will increase the chance for skiers and riders to trigger wind slabs up to 18 inches deep on steep, avalanche-prone slopes above 8,000 feet. As the day progresses, shedding of the recent snowfall could occur naturally. These slides have the potential to travel long distances and entrain significant amounts of snow in very steep, sustained terrain. Keep a close eye on the weather, and make careful terrain choices.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Above 8,000 feet, shallow wet loose slides will likely develop on sunlit aspects as snow surfaces start to dampen. As the day continues to warm, wet slabs involving the new snow could release naturally if skies remain mostly clear.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect skies to continue to clear overnight before partly to mostly cloudy skies return in the afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low teens before rising to near 30 during the day. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will back to the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.In the higher elevations on Saturday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable in the Tetons, and Moderate in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones where less snow has accumulated since early Thursday morning. The chance for skiers and riders to trigger large slab avalanches will be on the increase as temperatures warm and the sun heats the surface of the snowpack, and natural activity could become possible. These slides could range from two to four feet in the Tetons and be up to two feet in the other two forecast areas. As the day warms, both wet slabs and wet loose slides involving the recent snowfall could release naturally on steep, sunlit slopes. Don’t let recent snowfall, sunshine or the weekend timeframe impair your judgement. Monitor warming temperatures and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces start to become damp. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely at the lower elevations.

Regions covered