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

New snow and wind have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep terrain above 7,500’ today. Slabs will be most sensitive in wind affected terrain. Natural avalanches are also possible. Travel in avalanche terrain requires careful route finding, keeping slope angles below 30 degrees, and an awareness of the terrain above.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over a foot of new snow and moderate winds in the past 48 hours have created unstable conditions. Human triggered avalanches are most likely in steep, wind-loaded terrain at the mid and upper elevations. However, avalanches in sheltered terrain are possible today as well. Slabs will be 1-2 feet deep in sheltered areas and up to 3 feet deep in wind-loaded terrain. These avalanches were reported yesterday near Commissary Ridge. Expect to trigger similar slides in steep terrain today. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanches are all signs of an unstable snowpack. Dialing back slope angles to less than 30° and making a conservative travel plan that avoids terrain traps and overhead hazard is a good idea today.

    Natural avalanches are possible today and could run long distances. Because of this, it is important to give avalanche paths a wide berth and be aware of the terrain that lies above. This includes groomed snowmobile trails that cross under avalanche paths.

    (12/28/2024)

    A recent slab avalanche in the Mink Creek Drainage near Commissary Ridge.

    Photo: Kelly Corgiat

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Weak snow that formed in early December is now buried 3-4 feet deep above 7,500’ and remains a threat today. Avalanches involving these weak layers are most likely in terrain steeper than 30° that lies on the north half of the compass. New snow avalanches have the potential to step down to these layers, producing large and dangerous avalanches. While widespread avalanche activity involving weak snow near the ground is not likely today, significant loading has occurred over the past 4 days and is certainly testing the strength of the lower snowpack. Making a conservative travel plan is a good idea today given the uncertainty associated with the buried weak layers deeper in the snowpack.

    (12/20/2024)

    This persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered up Murphy Creek near the Stewart Massive on a NE aspect around 8300' on 12/20. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Four day storm totals are sitting at 20-30” of new snow containing 2-3” of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) in the Salt and Wyoming Ranges. While last night’s pulse only delivered about 4”, the wind continued to blow and move snow around at the upper elevations. Add the foot of new snow that fell the day prior into the equation and avalanche conditions remain dangerous. A significant amount of weight has just been added to the snowpack and it will take some time for it to adjust. This is particularly true for the buried weak layers lurking in steep, north facing terrain. Expect to be surprised and build in some margin of safety to account for this uncertainty. Good riding and safer conditions can be found on low angle slopes (less than 30°) today.

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

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