Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Skiers and riders venturing into very steep, wind-loaded terrain at the higher elevations could trigger pockets of recently developed wind slab. As the day progresses, daytime warming and periods of sunshine could make these slabs more susceptible to failure and bring about the chance for shallow wet slides. Warming temperatures will also increase the likelihood of cornice failures along high elevation ridgelines. Temperatures at the lower elevations remained above freezing overnight, and the chance for isolated pockets of shallow wet slides cannot be entirely ruled out.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Last week, very strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds combined with sustained snowfall to form dense wind slabs in leeward terrain. In very steep avalanche-prone terrain, couloirs and cliff areas above 8,500 feet that have been recently wind loaded, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet. These slides will be more likely to occur in terrain where snow surfaces have remained dry.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A fast moving Pacific trough to the north will brush Western Wyoming Saturday night and into Sunday bringing light snowfall to the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising to near 30 during the day. Valley temperatures are expected to drop just below freezing tonight, but cloud cover will likely prevent a hard freeze. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Sunday. Backcountry travelers entering very steep, wind-loaded terrain above 8,000 feet could trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet in depth. These slides will be more likely to occur in terrain where snow surfaces have remained dry. Afternoon sunshine and warm temperatures could increase the likelihood of trigger these slabs later in the day.

Regions covered