Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New, light snow has fallen on weak snow surfaces and hard crusts. Humans venturing into steep upper elevation terrain could trigger loose snow sloughs or small slabs.  Watch for areas of drifted snow and avoid terrain traps where even small slides could have harsh consequences.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Winds that varied from the west to northwest and had gusts to 38 mph have formed very soft slabs with depths of 4 to 18 inches at the upper elevations. These slabs lie upon poor interfaces such as melt-freeze crusts and faceted snow, including surface hoar. This new snow hazard is more likely to be found above 9000 feet although the sloughing and small soft slab hazard may extend into the mid elevations in very steep terrain that was favored by the snow showers. 

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow persists one to three feet below the surface. Although very unlikely, slabs involving this snow have a slight chance to be initiated in extreme terrain.  The last avalanche involving this layer occured on December 30th near Gunsight Pass. 

Avalanche Discussion

The first of a series of systems brought snow showers to the region yesterday.  Snowfall amounts varied greatly within each of the forecast areas. In the Southwest Trails area, the Willow Creek and Commissary Ridge areas received 8" of new snow while nearby Blind Bull Summit plots seemed to only receive 3 inches.  Densities were light, in the 5-8% range.  This variability is not uncommon on a showery type system and means that there are some areas that received more snow than the study plots did. Throughout yesterday, slab properties where minimal and loose snow sloughing in very steep terrain carried little volume. Winds that increased during the evening hours with gusts to 38 mph will have transported some of this light snow and formed soft slabs. Remember that although accumulations are on the light side and winds were not excessive, the new snow is falling on snow surfaces that are either slick crusts or, in most terrain, weak faceted snow.  

Like many of the storms this season, accumulations at the low elevations were minimal and the shallow snowpack is not deserving of a rating.   That will change with incoming storms as the snow that does exist below 7500 is rotten. 

Regions covered