Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong winds with gusts to 118 miles per hour at the Mt. Coffin weather stations are redistributing the snow and creating wind slabs, especially at the lower elevations. Slab avalanches have released naturally or been triggered by wildlife on a variety aspects from buttes in Jackson Hole and have impacted roadways. Similar events are possible today in the river canyons. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify areas of concern. Monitor conditions and adjust plans if field observations indicate the avalanche hazard is rapidly increasing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    At the upper elevations pockets of wind slab could be human triggered in steep avalanche prone terrain. At the lower elevations intense wind loading on a snowpack that is comprised of weak faceted snow is creating dangerous conditions. Slab avalanches have occurred on a variety of aspects and impacted roadways. These soft slab avalanches could release naturally or be triggered by wildlife and humans. These avalanches are most likely to occur in active avalanche paths and can run long distances.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The chance continues for snowmobilers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches in isolated areas on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall is expected to increase, become heavy overnight, continue into the early afternoon hours and decrease before evening. West to west-southwest winds will continue to be strong with gusts to 60 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the teens and 20s in the mountains.The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE. Dry slab avalanches are possible in the mountains and wet slides are possible at the lowest elevations. These slides could release naturally or be human triggered. These slides could be up to two feet deep.

Regions covered