Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous above 8,000 feet. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Involvement in one of these slides could easily have fatal results. As the basal weak layers slowly gain strength, it is easier to get farther out onto a slope before failure occurs. This scenario increases the likelihood of being captured in one of these dangerous avalanches. Slopes with previous tracks are also suspect; preceding riders may have simply missed hitting a trigger point. Don’t let blue skies and the weekend impair your judgement; cautious route finding and conservative terrain choices will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Avalanche activity below 8,000 feet is unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Persistent weak layers of faceted snow are present near the base of the snowpack in terrain that held snow prior to Thanksgiving. This terrain generally includes all aspects above 9,000 feet and west through north to east facing slopes between 8,000 and 9,000 feet. In these areas, backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches with depths of two to four feet. This is a good time to dig pits to the ground in order to find out if a slope is underlain by these weak, faceted layers. However, do not be tempted to use high stability tests scores as an excuse to ski a slope if these basal weak layers are found.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Some clearing will occur overnight, but high-level moisture may keep some cloud cover over the region on Saturday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising to near 30 in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will back to the south at 15 to 30 miles per hour.Avalanche conditions are still dangerous, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable above 8,000 feet on Saturday. Backcountry travelers are likely to trigger large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain that had an existing snowpack before Thanksgiving. Involvement in one of these slides could easily have fatal results, and as these weak layers slowly gain strength, it is easier to get farther out onto a slope before failure occurs. Terrain with previous tracks is also suspect; preceding riders may have simply missed hitting a trigger point. This is a good time to dig pits to the ground in order to find out if a slope is underlain by the weak layers of concern. However, do not be tempted to use high stability tests scores as an excuse to ski a slope if these weak layers are present. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low below 8,000 feet, and avalanche activity is unlikely there.

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