Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions can be found on previously wind loaded terrain on N-NE-E aspects above 8500’. Avalanches will fail on persistent weak layers 2-3 feet deep. Assess the stability of recent snow on the weak layers thoroughly to decide where you should travel in the mountains today. Otherwise stick to lower angle terrain less than 30°.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Incremental loading of recent snow over the last week (since Feb 2nd) has formed soft slabs 2-3 feet deep that lie on persistent weak layers (weak, sugary facets). Triggering an avalanche on these weak layers is most likely in wind loaded terrain (W-SE aspects) above 8500’ where recent snow has formed into a more firm, cohesive slab. All recent avalanche activity has occurred on N-E aspects. Use extra caution on these aspects in terrain exposed to the wind such as off ridgelines. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as distinct hardness changes, cracking, large pillows/drifts, and altered snow surface texture. 

    Watch for increased reactivity of recent snow on southerly aspects as the sun heats up snow surfaces by this afternoon. 

    (2/7/2024)

    This avalanche occured on Feb 7 in the Snake River Rangeon a NE aspect off a small ridgline at 8800'.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Above 7500’ hard slabs 3-5 feet deep lie above weak snow formed in December. Although the likelihood of triggering is decreasing, the possibility remains. Recent snow has added stress to these weak layers. Triggering a deep slab avalanche is most likely where the overlying slab is thin and riders can impact the weak layer. Any terrain with an overall shallow snowpack is concerning including very steep, convex, rocky and heavily wind affected slopes. Avalanches involving new snow could step down to these deeper layers in steep and sustained terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Always Assess Conditions for Yourself

The forecast area received 20-32" of snow with 1.5-3" of snow water equivalent over the last week. The Salt River Range picked up another 5” of snow in the last 24 hours. The snowpack has had a bit of time to adjust to the recent load of snow but you can still find dangerous conditions on the specific terrain explained above. As you can see we have transitioned from a storm slab to persistent slab problem. Due to the large variability and huge area of the forecast zone there is a lot of uncertainty in how all the recent snow is bonding to the weak, sugary facets and crust/facet combinations buried Feb 2nd. For this reason it is extremely important to use this information as a baseline, and assess the stability of recent snow for yourself. Dig down, perform quick hand shear tests, hit small test slopes, and perform proper stability tests to gain more information to make better decisions in the mountains today.

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