Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The avalanche danger will rise to moderate with the incoming snow and wind today.  Triggering an avalanche on steep wind-loaded slopes over 35° will be possible. Look for heavy snow, wind-loading, and shooting cracks as signs of unstable snow. Rain at lower elevations could destabilize snow surfaces. Avoid being on and below very steep slopes if you encounter rain and wet snow surfaces.

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to 8 inches of snow could fall by tonight. If we receive this much snow, wind slabs up to a foot thick will form on lee aspects and on cross-loaded terrain features. These slabs could be sensitive to the weight of a person and will be sitting on slick crusts in many locations.   Look for drifts and stiff pillows in exposed areas at middle and upper elevations. Cracking and collapsing will be good indicators that you found unstable snow and should point you towards lower-angled sheltered terrain.

    Although less reactive and smaller, storm slab avalanches up to 8" will be possible on sheltered terrain. New snow will fall on a variety of surfaces, including melt freeze crusts on southerly aspects. Perform quick hand shear tests to assess new snow stability.

    With continued mild temperatures today and increased wind loading, continue to minimize time underneath cornices and remember that they break much farther back on ridges than you might expect.

     

    Shooting cracks provide a clear indication of unstable snow on wind loaded terrain. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warm overnight temperatures and possible rain below 8000 feet could further destabilize the snowpack. It will be possible to trigger wet loose avalanches in steep terrain. Northern aspects in particular have escaped much of the loose snow activity caused by the recent warm and sunny weather. These shady aspects could be more reactive to rain on snow. Keep this in mind as you change aspects throughout the day in locations receiving rain. These avalanches will most likely be small but will carry a lot of force and could easily knock you over or push you into a terrain trap.  Avoid steep slopes if you encounter wet snow.

    (3/9/2025)

    Wet and dry loose snow avalanches spanning various aspects in the upper Greys. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The Salt River and Wyoming Ranges are not forecasted to receive as much snow as the Snakes or Tetons.  However, there is still a range of forecasted snow totals from 3-9 inches by 9 pm tonight. This range causes some uncertainty in the forecasted avalanche danger. As you are out today,  it will be important to monitor snow totals and pay attention to wind loading. Quick hand pits are a great way to see how well the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces and also to check cohesion and see if the hand shear pulls off as a slab or if it remains cohesionless and powdery. If you are unsure about how much or how quickly the avalanche hazard is rising, stick to low-angle riding.

With continued mild temperatures today and increased wind loading, continue to minimize time underneath cornices and remember that they break much farther back on ridges than you might expect.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. You can also text what you see to us at 307-264-3050. 

 

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