Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches will be possible today, especially in the alpine where new snow and wind have conspired to create fresh wind slabs. Temperatures should remain cool today, but when the sun pokes through the snow surface will begin to heat up quickly. Fresh wind slabs should mostly be confined to start zones and exposed ridgelines in the lee of southwest winds. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow, and minimize exposure time on steep sunlit slopes if the skies decide to part. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind Slabs: Fresh wind slabs that are around a foot thick will be located near treeline and in alpine terrain. These slabs will mostly be soft and sensitive to human triggering, but in most instances they shouldn't propagate too far. Slabs will mostly be confined to avalanche start zones and ridgelines. Wind slabs sitting on stout melt freeze crusts will be more reactive, especially in shear. Cold temperatures and an evening of settlement should lessen reactivity. Pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow. 

    Storm Slabs: Very shallow storm slabs could overlie a variety of crusted surfaces on southerly aspects, mainly near treeline and below. 

    Dry Loose: Dry loose avalanches could pose a threat in steep terrain. 

    A photo from earlier this season highlighting possible wind slabs and poor bonding on the interface.

Avalanche Discussion

The Greys picked up an angry inch of snow at the upper elevations, mostly throughout the day yesterday (Targhee wins). Winds have averaged out of the WNW in the 15-25 mph range on the peaks. For the most part it seems like the snowfall was mostly rightside up, starting off warm and ending cold. Winds were more consistent from the WSW at the beginnning of the storm (2 days ago), but yesterday winds seemed blustery and inconsistent. Currently temperatures are in the single digits on the peaks and upper teens in the valleys. The forecast for today is for broken skies and intermittent snow showers in a NW flow. The mountains could pick up another inch or so on average.

With 371 total miles of wind recorded at Rendezvous Summit and 2-8 inches of 7-8% snow, wind slabs, dry loose, and possibly the odd shallow storm slab could all be in play today. Temperatures might reach around 20 degrees on the peaks and near freezing in the valleys. The sun should make an appearance today on many slopes and its influence will change the properties of the snow quickly. 

Regions covered