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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago.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

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Warm temperatures, dense new snow, areas of rain and strong winds have combined to create unstable conditions. During the past several days multiple skiers and riders have been caught and carried by avalanches in the Teton forecast region. Dense slab avalanches could be easily triggered by humans and could release naturally. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices are warranted.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Dense surface slabs formed by southwest winds could be easily triggered by skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain and could release naturally. These slabs could fail with crown depths to two feet on hard crusts, buried surface hoar, graupel snow and/or density differences within the new snow. These dense slabs could run long distances and entrain wet snow into the debris at the lower elevations.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet snow avalanches are possible in steep terrain at the lower elevations. These dangerous slides could be human triggered on steep slopes or be initiated by slides that descend in the lower elevations from higher elevation avalanche starting zones.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and strong winds will continue. Snowfall rates of two inches per hour could occur for extended periods. One to two feet of new snow is forecast to fall in the mountains by Tuesday evening. Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s in the mountains and above freezing below an elevation of 6,500 feet. Winds will be southwest at 25 to 30 with gusts to near 50 miles per hour.The new snow and strong winds will continue to increase the avalanche hazard. Dense surface slabs two to four feet in depth are likely to be easily triggered by humans and may release naturally in steep avalanche prone terrain at the mid and upper elevations. These slides have been running long distances and can impact the lower elevations where they also entrain wet snow. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and may increase to HIGH in the Teton Range where new snow totals for the past several days have been significantly higher than other areas. Dangerous conditions are expected. Humans who venture into steep couloirs and active avalanche starting zones are likely to trigger dangerous dense slab avalanches. Potential slide surfaces include a rain crust buried surface hoar, density breaks and buried graupel snow. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations.

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