Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Moderate avalanche danger exists today. Human triggered wind slab avalanches capable of burying a person are possible. Recent snowfall and extreme winds have built 1 to 3 foot thick wind slabs. These are likely to be hard and stubborn but capable of cracking a great distance and upslope, above the trigger. If you observe drifts or pillows of snow beneath or downwind of terrain features, you’ve found the avalanche problem. You’re most likely to find these wind slabs above 7,000’ in north through east facing terrain. Avalanche danger remains Low below that elevation where less snow exists.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    It will be possible to trigger firm wind slabs one to three feet thick today. The storm started with strong winds which grew even stronger overnight before diminishing this morning meaning that softer, weaker layers of snow can be found within the wind slabs. You are likely to find wind slabs further downslope than those built by more moderate wind speeds. Hollow sounding snow, cracking and large, smooth aprons beneath cliffs and couloirs are indicators that you’ve found the avalanche problem. A slick, refrozen bed surface will make these conditions trickier to navigate today.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The thick crust that exists in the upper snowpack will most likely limit any avalanche activity tomorrow to new wind slabs. Peak periods of snowfall are yet to come but we appear to be on track to receive at least 6-8” in the mountains by morning with a bit more falling by mid-day. If we receive the upper end of the 0.9” of water that is forecast, that could translate to close to a foot of new snow with wind slab thicknesses growing to 2 to 3 feet thick in some locations. Wind speeds in the 60-80 mph range out of the west will build hard wind slabs well down from ridgetops and more typical start zones. Anticipate at least Moderate avalanche danger tomorrow and possibly Considerable if we receive the upper end of the forecast totals. Wind slab avalanches tomorrow are likely to be stubborn in the most exposed locations but will be large enough to bury a person.

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