Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow and wind have created dangerous avalanche conditions at the upper elevations. Soft slabs will be most sensitive in wind affected, upper elevation terrain. In addition, it remains possible for riders to trigger deeper avalanches that fail on weak snow in the middle of the snowpack. Watch out for areas where the new snow is deepest and carefully evaluate deeper layers in the snowpack if venturing into steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Ridgetop winds averaging 20 mph out of the northwest along with 5-14” of new snow in the past 24 hours have formed soft slabs 8-24” deep on exposed leeward aspects at the middle and upper elevations. Watch out for signs of wind loading such as “upside down” feeling snow, cracking, or smooth pillow features. Snowfall favored the Snake and Salt River ranges where they received 12-14” of new snow with about 1” of snow water equivalent (SWE). Expect soft slabs to be deeper and more sensitive in these locations.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    While trending less likely, it is possible for skiers and riders to trigger large hard slab avalanches failing on weak snow that persists in the middle of the snowpack. These slabs are 2-4 feet deep above 7,500’. Shaded aspects were least impacted by the recent warm weather. As a result, they are the areas where it will be easiest to find the persistent slab problem. Triggering one of these avalanches is most likely in locations where the slab is at its thinnest, making it possible for humans to impact the weak layer. Examples of terrain where thin spots exist include very steep, convex, rocky, and wind affected terrain features. Avalanches involving new snow could step down to deeper layers in steep and sustained terrain.

    There will be a noticeable hardness change (hard to soft) in the middle of the snowpack at the January 4th interface. Digging and probing for depths to this interface can provide you with an idea of how thick the slab is in the terrain you wish to ride. If you are consistently finding thin spots in the slab, or are uncertain about the terrain around you, then defaulting to simpler terrain remains a good call.

    (1/31/2024)

    Hard slab avalanche that likely occured during peak warming on 1/30 in Sheep Creek 9600' W aspect

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

The two avalanche problems that you may encounter today have distinctly different characteristics. Soft slabs that have formed from the recent snow and wind can be easily found in steep, windy terrain. The likelihood of triggering one of these slabs is fairly high where they exist, however, they are also easy to predict. Cracking and obvious signs of instability will be present. At the moment, these slabs could be triggered from a distance, but are most likely to release under your skis or sled when you impact the slope. 

The persistent slab problem is uniquely different. The chances of triggering one of these avalanches has decreased significantly, yet they are still possible and will present little warning before they release. This makes them much more difficult to predict and potentially more dangerous given the size and potential for propagation. Regardless of the type, getting caught in any avalanche can have severe consequences. Because of this, it is important to practice safe travel habits and carefully evaluate conditions in windy, high elevation terrain today, all the while being aware of the weak structure that lurks deeper in the snowpack.

Regions covered