Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 8,000 feet, the high consequence hazard remains large to very large slab avalanches that could be triggered by a single person crossing a thin spot of the slab. Due to this potential, backcountry travelers should carefully evaluate the snowpack and use safe travel techniques when traveling through avalanche terrain. On leeward slopes, riders and skiers may encounter small wind slabs that were formed by this week’s new snow, and as the day warms and surface crusts breakdown, small wet slides may be possible. Backcountry travelers should be careful of these hazards, especially in serious or extreme terrain. Below 8,000 feet avalanches are unlikely today except for the possibility of small wet slides this afternoon as temperatures warm.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    If a failure occurs on persistent weak layers at the base of the snowpack, avalanches 3 to 5 feet deep could be triggered and result in serious injury or death. These slides are more likely to be triggered by a larger load, like a group of riders all on a slope at one time or when an individual finds a thin spot in the slab. Thin spots are difficult to detect but are often next to rocks or cliffs.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mild weather and partly cloudy skies are expected tomorrow. Temperatures will start cold in the single digits and then warm into the twenties in the mountains and thirties in the valleys. Northeasterly ridgetop winds will be light. In all the forecast areas, the daily warming should be monitored as the sun can quickly affect slopes and melt snow surfaces. Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy, so the hazard is not expected to change significantly. Although, if slopes receive direct sunlight, crusts could breakdown, and once snow surfaces become damp, steep slopes should be avoided.In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low. At the upper elevations, on leeward terrain features, skiers and riders could trigger small wind slabs up to a foot in depth. Also, small isolated wet slides may be possible on steep sunlit slopes. In the Grey’s River and Togwotee Pass forecast areas, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. The high consequence hazard still remains the possibility for a person to trigger a very dangerous slab avalanche with depths up to 8 feet. Backcountry travelers could also encounter small wind slabs at the higher elevations or small wet slides during the warmest periods of the day.

Regions covered