Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The mountains have received 5 to 7 inches of new snow since yesterday morning. West-southwest winds have formed pockets of fresh wind slab on leeward aspects. Humans who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes at the higher elevations could trigger soft slab avalanches and loose snow sluffs. This new snow and wind has also increased the load on persistent weak layers and may increase the potential for humans to trigger large persistent slab avalanches. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations except for small pockets on isolated terrain features. A careful evaluation of the the snow and terrain is warranted. Practice safe travel techniques.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Skiers and riders could trigger pockets of fresh wind slab up to 14 inches in depth in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Skiers and riders could trigger large persistent slab avalanches on buried weak layers of surface hoar and faceted snow. These dangerous slab avalanche could also be triggerd by the release of a wind slab or loose snow avalanche. These dangerous slab avalanches could be two to five feet and can occur on slopes with previous tracks. At the lower elevations, where sugary snow lies below stronger snow, persistent slab avalanches with depths of one to two feet could be human triggered on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will continue to favor the higher elevations of the Teton Range overnight and will taper off to flurries by sunrise. Several inches of additional accumulation are possible. Breaks are anticipated in the cloud cover on Friday. Temperatures will stay in the teens and 20s. Westerly winds will be light. Humans who venture into very steep terrain that has been favored by today’s and tonight’s snowfall could trigger shallow loose snow sluffs and shallow pockets of soft wind up to one foot deep. Persistent weak layers are present deeper in the snowpack. Humans, especially those on snowmachines, may still be able to trigger large slab avalanches in isolated locations on those persistent weak layers in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas where the general avalanche hazard is moderate. If triggered these slab avalanches could be 2 to 5 feet deep. The potential to trigger one of these persistent slab avalanches, 2 to 5 feet deep, is greater in the Greys River areas where the hazard is considerable. Avalanches are unlikely in all areas below an elevation of 7,500 feet except on isolated terrain features.

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