Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Up to 18 inches of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours. This abundant snowfall, combined with strong westerly ridgetop winds, has created dangerous avalanche conditions. Temperatures will warm during the day and westerly ridgetop winds will increase. As wind slabs continue to build, they are also adding weight to persistent weak layers deep within the snowpack. Loose snow sluffs, which could entrain large amounts of snow and travel long distances, will also be likely. Both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely and TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    Strong west to northwest winds have formed soft wind slabs on leeward slopes at all elevations. These slabs could be triggered with depths of two to three feet. These slabs could also release naturally, particularly near high peaks and ridge crests where the most significant loading has occurred, and where pieces of cornice may fall onto a slope. Once triggered, these wind slabs could cause deeper weaknesses in the snowpack to fail.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers of faceted snow persist deep within the snowpack. Failure of these layers will produce very large avalanches with depths up to seven feet. They could be triggered directly by backcountry travelers, step down from surface slabs or release naturally. The consequences of being caught would most likely be fatal.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the region until 5 PM on Sunday. Similar conditions are in store as northwesterly flow continues to bring Pacific moisture to the region. Another six to ten inches could accumulate in the next 24 hours and possibly more in the Southwest Trails area. Temperatures will be a bit warmer tomorrow with mountain highs rising into the mid to upper teens. The valleys could see daytime temperatures near freezing. Westerly ridgetop winds will also increase to 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE on Sunday and could increase to HIGH in the Southwest Trails area where more snow has fallen and greater amounts of new snow are in the forecast. Newly and recently formed wind slabs, with depths up to three feet, could be triggered in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Weak, faceted layers in the lower portion of the snowpack remain a concern. Failures involving these layers would produce very large avalanches and the likelihood of surviving one is minimal. Large avalanche paths that are prone to heavy wind loading should be avoided.

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