Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Traveling in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. New snow and wind has rapidly loaded a weak snowpack and created dangerous conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely today and natural avalanches are possible. Avoidance of avalanche terrain is critical. This includes staying out of the runout of avalanche terrain. Small slopes including road cuts have the potential to release and bury a person.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    A significant amount of new snow, and more importantly weight has been added to a weak snowpack. This new snow has been and will continue to be transported onto leeward slopes in the mid and upper elevations. Remote triggering was reported yesterday and will continue to be possible today. This is a scenario that can catch you off guard, as triggering can occur from below, above or adjacent to the terrain you are situated in. Expect slab depths in the 2 foot range and be enough to injure and bury you.

    (12/16/2024) Remotely triggered on 12.16.24, NE facing, 8500', Northern Salts Photo: Max Mogren

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Slopes that are sheltered from the wind hold the potential to produce avalanches that can injure or bury a person. While triggering storm slabs is only slightly less likely than wind slabs, the travel advice is the same. Avoid avalanche terrain today. This new snow has fallen on weak snow in the form of facets and surface hoar. With 4-8” of new snow forecasted for the day expect conditions to become more dangerous as the day progresses.

    (12/16/2024) Remotely triggered on 12.16.24, NNE facing, started at 8700' ran to 7900', Northern Salts Photo: Max Mogren

Avalanche Discussion

An extended period of dry and relatively cold conditions created an early season snowpack that is weak. Over the last 72 hours the snowpack has experienced rapid change. This change has resulted in a significant amount of avalanche activity, both natural and human triggered. The formula is relatively straightforward: a new slab is sitting on weak snow and is ripe for avalanche activity. Avoidance of avalanche terrain is critical for the time being, as this combination requires time to gradually repair itself.

Getting caught in an avalanche holds the potential for significant bodily harm, as many obstacles such as trees, rocks and ground lurk just below the surface of the snow. Patience will be key not only today, but in the days to come as the snowpack slowly adjusts to this new load.

Please consider reporting avalanches or field observations here. Your observations help us get a better handle on snow/avalanche conditions and make for more accurate forecasts. Thanks!

 

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