Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Natural avalanches are possible. Human-triggered avalanches are likely on wind-loaded terrain. There is a possibility of triggering an avalanche on buried weak layers 1- 4 feet deep. Conditions will change rapidly today. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and avoid steep terrain. The danger will start CONSIDERABLE and rise to HIGH late in the day as a continuing storm brings high snowfall rates and increased winds.

An avalanche warning will be issued beginning at 6 pm tonight and will be in effect until 6 pm Sunday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the last 48 hours, the Salt and Wyoming Ranges have received 10 - 12 inches of new snow with sustained westerly winds creating dangerous conditions. Wind slabs 1-3 feet thick have formed in the middle and upper elevations. Lower elevations received less snow, but expect to encounter slabs of new snow and wind-affected snow up to 1 foot thick on steep terrain. Expect these slabs to grow larger and more sensitive at all elevations as another storm increases wind speeds and brings up to 12 inches of new snow. Avalanches will be easy to trigger and may release naturally.  

    You are most likely to trigger a wind slab near ridgelines or on mid-slope terrain features such as gullies. Watch for obvious signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing. You can reduce your chances of triggering a wind slab by avoiding slopes with obvious signs of wind loading such as cornice growth and pillows of wind-blown snow.

    (12/18/2024)

    An excellent example of cracking and wind-affected snow. Photo taken earlier this season.  

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers buried 1-4 feet deep remain. Although the last reported persistent slab avalanche in this zone was over a week ago, increased wind speeds and snowfall today will make these avalanches more sensitive - particularly on north-facing slopes at middle and upper elevations where winds have deposited additional snow loads. Avalanches involving new snow may step down, potentially producing large unsurvivable avalanches.

    Yesterday, in the Teton zone, an avalanche outside of the boundary at Grand Targhee Resort was triggered by a skier on a deeper weak layer. Watch out for obvious signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing (whoomphing). Conditions may change rapidly today. Avoid steep slopes and use a wide safety buffer where avalanches can release above you.

    (12/20/2024)

    This avalanche was remotely triggered up Murphy Creek near the Stewart Massive ~8300' on a NE aspect on 12/20. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last 48 hours, new snow and winds have created instabilities in the upper snowpack. To the north, the Teton zone saw multiple human-triggered avalanches in the middle and upper elevations. The storm today is expected to favor the Salt and Wyoming Ranges bringing up to 12” of new snow by this evening. This means conditions will be changing rapidly throughout the day. Expect slabs of new snow to grow larger and more sensitive as the day progresses. These slabs also have the potential to step down and release avalanches on weak layers buried within the snowpack. This scenario would likely create a large unsurvivable avalanche. The best way to manage the changing conditions and growing danger is to avoid it. Stick to lower-angle terrain, and remember that avalanches could run long distances. Pay close attention to the changing snowpack. Today is a good day to step back.

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