Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Over a foot of new snow overnight combined with increasing wind speeds this morning has elevated the avalanche hazard. Triggering an avalanche is likely on very steep and wind-loaded slopes at the upper elevations today. Avalanches could be large enough to bury a human in big terrain. Give steep, wind-loaded slopes a wide margin today.

We will issue our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season for this zone on Friday, April 10th. We will issue General Avalanche Information Bulletins as needed through early May and compile 24-Hour Snow and Weather Data (aka the Big Sheet) through June 1.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over a foot of new snow has fallen in terrain above 8,000 feet since yesterday afternoon. Wind speeds have increased this morning out of the northwest forming soft slabs up to 2 feet deep in wind-loaded, upper elevation terrain. Riders have a good chance of triggering one of these slabs today on very steep, loaded features. Watch for slab development below ridges, around cliffs, and in cross-loaded gullies. Slabs may be found on a variety of aspects given the shift in wind direction yesterday evening. Avalanches involving new snow could run farther and faster than expected on recently buried crusts. Cracking and blowing snow are signs of wind loading. Avoid steep terrain if you are observing these conditions. 

    Be prepared for loose snow sluffing in very steep, sheltered terrain given the impressive overnight snow totals. Loose snow avalanches may move quickly and entrain a significant amount of snow on buried crusts.

    Watch for fresh wind slabs in steep, exposed terrain below ridges and around cliffs.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Snowfall from the past three days of stormy weather should taper off today. Upper elevation storm totals for this period are sitting around 24 inches with about 2.5 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). About half of that snow fell within the last 24 hours. Avalanches involving last night's snow will be the greatest concern today. Wind speeds have been strong enough to move snow and the direction shift from southwest to northwest loaded slopes on a variety of aspects.  Snow from previous days has now had some time to bond to underlying crusts. Avalanche activity yesterday was relatively minimal. Shallow slabs that were reactive to ski cuts were reported at JHMR. Mitigation work yesterday on Teton Pass did not produce any large avalanches. Carefully evaluate the new snow stability before committing to steeper terrain. If in doubt, default to lower angle terrain that is sheltered from the wind and enjoy the welcomed new snow!

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