Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 14 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. On Friday morning, a large destructive avalanche released naturally on the Snowslide Avalanche Path in McDougal Gap and ran full path. Yesterday, clear skies led to observations and reports of several slides. Many were shallow, surface slides. However, some were deep slabs failing on surfaces created during the January drought. Similar avalanches are possible today. Take note of the amount the sun is influencing the snow pack as any extended periods of sunshine in the afternoon will increase the likelihood of these slides on sunlit slopes. Cautious route finding, conservative decision making and the ability to resist peer pressure will all be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    The potential for large, destructive avalanches continues to be a concern. These persistent hard slabs lie upon January drought surfaces and could be triggered to depths of two to six feet. A slope could be crossed multiple times before a skier or rider finds the finds a trigger point; previous tracks are not a sign of stability. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure on sunlit slopes and could release naturally.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    The chance for backcountry travelers to trigger wet loose sluffs and shallow soft slabs will increase on steep, sunlit aspects as the day warms.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly clear skies on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid teens before rising into the mid 20s during the day. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Sunday. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and the potential for large, destructive avalanches will continue to be a concern on Sunday. These persistent hard slabs lie upon January drought surfaces and could be triggered to depths of two to six feet. A slope could be crossed multiple times before a skier or rider finds the finds a trigger point; previous tracks are not a sign of stability. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure on sunlit slopes and could release naturally. Wet loose sluffs could also develop on sun affected aspects later in the day.Clear skies and abundant new snow after a long dry spell have led to tragic events in the past. Cautious route finding, conservative decision making and the ability to resist peer pressure will all be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain on Sunday.

Regions covered