Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain likely today due to new snowfall and wind. Weak layers of snow are now buried 1-3 feet below the snow surface on most aspects and elevations. Avalanches may be triggered remotely—from gentler terrain above, below, and to the sides of steep slopes. Conservative decision making and cautious route finding are advised. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The November 27 layer is now buried 1-3 feet below the surface of the snow in most locations. In areas where October snow turned into depth hoar slab depths are in the 2-4 foot range. These weak layers are present on all aspects and elevations except for low elevation Southerlies, but firm continous slabs are more likely at the middle and upper elevation bands. 3-5 inches of new snow with wind from yesterday will add some stress to these buried weak layers. More wind is expected today, potentially stiffening slabs and increasing depths in leeward terrain.  

    (12/7/2022)

    A BTAC forecaster intentionally triggered this avalanche while tracking down unstable snow in the Snake River Range.

    Photo: Gabrielle Antonioli

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Thin wind slabs developed above 9k' yesterday on NW-SE aspects. These slabs were anywhere from 4 to 8 inches thick around 9.5k'. Winds calmed overnight and temperatures are in the single digits at the upper elevations. Winds are forecasted to be in the 20-30 mph range this afternoon with little to no new snow and temperatures around 20 degrees F. Slab depths could reach 1 ft at the upper elevations and will likely be stubborn.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday the Grey's River Zone picked up 3-5 inches of snow and ridge top winds were out of the WSW around 20 mph. 

The mid November dry spell created widespread layers of weak snow and crusts on all aspects and elevations. Snowfall from October turned into depth hoar in select locations as well, forming a weak and unstable base of the snowpack. These problems are not going away any time soon, and areas that have avalanched could avalanche again. Cautious route finding and terrain assesment are essential in these conditions. 

So far Triple Dip La Nina conditions are treating the Tetons favorably. Current snow water equivalent measurements show Grand Targhee to be 114% of median value while Phillips Bench sits at 130% of median. The Togwotee Pass snotel is at 95% of median and Willow Creek in the Salt River Range is 135% of median. 

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