Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are likely today as recent snow with moderate to strong west winds build reactive wind slabs and stress weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep. Look for obvious signs of instability such as cracking, stiffened surfaces and drifts to identify wind slabs in middle to upper elevation. Recent avalanche activity on buried weak layers combined with loading of new snow will warrant careful terrain management while avoiding steep, consequential slopes. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Fresh wind slabs will continually form from sustained wind and 11 inches of new snow with an additional 6 inches today. Slab depths will range 1-2 feet loading primarily leeward terrain from moderate to strong SW winds with high ranges of 25-35 mph. These wind slabs will be most reactive on ridgelines and exposed terrain in the middle to upper elevations.  Monitor the development of new and growing slabs with continued snow and wind throughout the day. Areas with wind slabs could also increase the chance of triggering a larger persistent slab in the middle and upper elevations. 

    Storm slabs will also be a concern with 11 inches of new snow reported at 6650'. Avoid steep terrain in areas with these higher amounts of new snow. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Numerous soft and hard slab avalanches have been triggered recently on weak layers buried 2-3 feet across all elevations and most aspects. Additional loading of 8-10 inches of new snow with continued snow today across all elevations will add stress to these weak layers increasing reactivity. The primary persistent weak layer of concern was buried Feb 18th consisting of facets and crusts. Avalanches have been triggered on this layer on most aspects with the highest concentration from South to East. Wind loaded terrain will also have an increased likelihood of triggering this weak layer. 

    Deeper weak layers buried 2-4 feet are more concerning now in the low to middle elevations as firm cohesive slabs continue to form above this weak snow. The recent avalanche activity including the unfortunate fatality in Poker Creek is a clear sign that we need to reassess the terrain and avoid consquential slopes. 

     

    (2/24/2023)

    Poker Creek fatality from a persistent slab avalanche. 8100' NW aspect

Avalanche Discussion

Ground Truthing

The storm cycle continues as consistent snowfall and strong wind gradually increases avalanche danger. The Greys zone received more snow across all elevations than the other zones, with 11 inches reported at Box Y (6650'). Wind slabs will be the most likely problem you will encounter in the mountains today in exposed terrain as they grow in size and reactivity throughout the day. The tougher problem to think about are those buried weak layers, primarily the Feb 18th layer that saw increased reactivity this last week as it woke up during temperature increases. The amount of human triggered avalanches should be a clear sign that this layer deserves respect. Deeper weak layers in the middle and lower elevations also saw increased avalanche activity. Due to the high uncertainty in how all these layers will react to loading of new snow, reassess the terrain you have been riding all season. That unsuspected terrain may cause trouble during these changing conditions. Avoid steep, consequential slopes in the coming days as we assess the growing complexity of the snowpack.

Regions covered