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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong and gusty winds have created pockets of wind slab that can be triggered by the weight of a single person. A persistent deep slab avalanche hazard also exists above an elevation of 7,500 feet. These dangerous deep slabs are more likely to be triggered by snowmobiles but could be triggered by the weight of a skier. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Skiers and riders can still trigger dangerous persistent deep slab avalanches at the mid and upper elevations. Large triggers such as a snowmobile, cornice failure or the release of a wind slab are more likely to initiate the failure of a deep, hard slab avalanche. However, the weight of a single person could be enough to trigger one of these persistent deep slabs if a shallow, weak zone is encountered. These low probability/high consequence slides could range in depth from two to five feet and will carry severe consequences for anyone involved.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    South to west winds are drifting snow onto leeward aspects and cross loading avalanche starting zones. Wind slab avalanches 6 to 18 inches in depth could triggered by skiers and riders in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Once triggered these slabs have some potential to dig down and trigger dangerous deep slab avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next pulse of Pacific moisture will bring periods of heavier snowfall to the region later tonight and into Monday morning. Lighter snowfall is expected during the day and into the evening. Temperatures will remain in the single digits and teens. Southwest winds will continue overnight at 35 with gusts to 50 miles per hour. Winds will veer to the west and decrease during the day.The strong winds and new snow will continue to form wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs could grow to depths of one to two feet in upper elevation avalanche starting zones and will be sensitive to human triggers. A persistent deep slab avalanche hazard also exists above an elevation of 7,500 feet. Dangerous deep slab avalanches could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes with depths that range from 2 to 5 feet. These slabs are more likely to be triggered by snowmobiles but could be triggered by the weight of a skier. The general avalanche hazard may increase to CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations and is expected to be MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW at the lower elevations.

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