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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. In steep terrain above 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers are likely to trigger small to large wind slabs. Skiers and riders could also trigger loose snow sluffs on a variety of aspects and elevations. While these slides could kill you, persistent deep slab avalanches present a much higher concern. These large to very large slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects and elevations, travel down into low elevation terrain, and involvement will likely have fatal consequences. The easiest way to avoid these slides is to stay off of, and out from under, terrain that has slope angles greater than 30 degrees. Choosing to travel in steeper terrain will require conservative route finding and expert snowpack evaluation skills. As the day warms, any extended periods of sunshine will increase the likelihood of avalanche activity as the sun impacts the new snow for the first time. This is more of a factor at the lower elevations where temperatures are warmer. Monitor warming conditions and cloud cover, and transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become damp.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Since early Friday morning, up to 1.25 inches of snow water equivalent has been added to persistent weak layers deeply buried in the snowpack, and some slopes have reached their tipping point. Others are just waiting for a trigger. These persistent deep slabs are likely to range in depth from 4 to 8 feet above 7,500 feet and 2 to 4 feet deep below 7,500 feet. These deadly slabs could also step down from the release of a wind slab or occur naturally.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Since early Friday morning, 15 to 20 inches of light density snow has accumulated in the Southwest Trails forecast zone. Southwesterly to northwesterly ridgetop winds with hourly averages ranging from 15 to 30 miles per hour accompanied this snowfall, and wind slabs have formed in leeward terrain. Skiers and riders could easily trigger these slabs with depths ranging from 1 to 3 feet in steep, wind loaded terrain. Natural activity will also be possible.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light, scattered snow showers will be possible overnight and through the day on Sunday as northerly flow aloft develops. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour overnight will decrease to 15 to 20 and back to the west during the day.While the storm cycle is over, the hazard isn’t. Avalanche conditions remain dangerous, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable on Sunday. Skiers and riders could easily trigger small to large wind slabs and loose snow sluffs in steep avalanche terrain. While these slides could kill you, persistent deep slab avalanches present a much higher concern. These large to very large slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects and elevations, and involvement could easily have fatal consequences. The easiest way to avoid these slides is to stay off of, and out from under, terrain that has slope angles greater than 30 degrees. Choosing to travel in steeper terrain will require conservative route finding and expert snowpack evaluation skills.

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