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

Up to 16 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours will create dangerous avalanche conditions. Fresh wind slabs formed by strong winds 30 to 40 mph will be sensitive to triggering in the middle to upper elevations. Use cautious route finding as continued snowfall with strong wind increases danger throughout the day and ride low consequence terrain during this storm cycle.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs up to 3 feet deep are the main avalanche concern as 1-2 feet of new snow combined with strong NW to SW winds create highly reactive slabs in the middle to upper elevations. These slabs lie on a variety of surfaces formed prior to the storm including crusts, wind-pack, and near surface facets. Use extra caution today as slabs formed above these layers are notorious for increased reactivity with the possibility of remote triggering above, below or beside you. Snowfall will continue during the day, increasing their size and reactivity. Look for obvious signs of instability such as cracking, stiffened surfaces, and firm drifts.

    Storm slabs may also be a concern as snowfall continues throughout the day. These slabs will be possible to trigger in the low to middle elevations. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Increased loading of new snow as this storm cycle continues could cause buried weak layers to wake back up and become reactive. The main concern is the Jan 26th layer buried 2-3 feet deep composed of crusts, facets, and a combination of both. Prior to this storm, these layers appeared dormant with little to no avalanche activity. There is a high amount of uncertainty in how these layers will react to the added weight of new snow, but the poor structure is still apparent in snowpits so we cannot ignore the possibility. Our main worry is triggering a wind slab that steps down to a persistent slab. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

The Real Storm Hits

Yesterday was the start of a storm event that will produce higher than average amounts of snow in the mountains with radically strong winds. Avalanche conditions will increase dramatically as this storm continues into Tuesday evening. Wind slabs will be likely to trigger as the sensitivity and depth of these slabs increase throughout the day. And this is only the beginning. Today and during the next couple days it will be critical to take extra time to create large margins of safety when venturing into the backcountry. Focus on analyzing slope angles in terrain, identifying wind slabs, and constantly assessing the snowpack during rapidly changing conditions. Remember, conservative decision making is easier to manage during these uncertain times of large storm events. 

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