Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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 on buried weak layers in the snowpack remain a concern. Carefully evaluate these weak layers on terrain that is rocky, shallow, or influenced by the wind before venturing onto steep slopes. Create margins of safety such as traveling one at a time to deal with the unpredictable nature of these avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers formed during November are still buried 1-3 feet. These layers could be triggered across all aspects in the middle and upper elevations. The sensitivity of these layers has decreased over time. Terrain with shallow areas such as rocky zones or southern aspects could have higher possibility of triggering an avalanche. In addition, terrain that continues to experience active wind loading could also increase reactivity of buried weak layers. 

Avalanche Discussion

The persistent slab problem still haunts the snowpack. The possibility of triggering this type of avalanche in the Greys is hard to predict due to the varying degrees of weakness between different aspects and elevations. Although the likelihood of triggering these slabs has decreased during recent dry and cold conditions, the possibility remains. Observers are still experiencing loud audible collapsing of these weak layers. Shallows areas in the snowpack are particularly sensitive where buried weak sugary facets are easier to trigger. Avoid any terrain where wind loading has occurred as this will add additional stress to those weak areas. The uncertainty of these persistent slabs make them a difficult problem to access. Create large margins of safety in consequential terrain to manage this uncertainty. 

In addition to persistent slabs, new shallow wind slabs could exist in specific terrain in the upper elevations formed by moderate westerly winds. 

Regions covered