Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago.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

Highlights

The chance continues for a single backcountry rider or skier to trigger large deep persistent slab avalanches at the upper elevations. Wind slab avalanches could also be triggered at the upper elevations as well as the mid elevations. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding and conservative decisions are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Large destructive slab avalanches with depths to five feet could be triggered on east through north to west aspects above 8500 feet. These large slabs will be hard, and are likely to have crowns high up in the slide path although initiation may occur lower on the slope. Beware that a few tracks are not an indication of stability for this type of hazard. Larger triggers such as snow machines as more likely to trigger these deep instabilities.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs formed by west-southwest to west-northwest winds could be human triggered above 7500 feet with depths to two feet. These slabs could fail on density differences, sun crusts, or faceted snow.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Thursday morning looks to be mostly clear and cold. V temperatures near twenty below zero are expected with mountain top temperatures a few degrees warmer. Some fog and flurries are possible. Highs are to be in the teens as conditions warm slightly in advance on an oncoming weather system. This system should bring snowfall to the area during the afternoon or early evening hours. The general avalanche hazard will be Considerable above 9000 feet, Moderate from 7500 to 9000 feet and Low below 7500 feet. The potential continues for a single person to trigger dangerous slab avalanches with depths to five feet in steep terrain on certain aspects at the high elevations. Wind slabs with depths to two feet could also be triggered.

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