Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snowfall and moderate winds have increased the avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet. Since Wednesday morning, there has been 6 to 11 inches of new snow in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges and possibly higher amounts of snowfall in the Snake River Range. Yesterday, on Sheep Pass north of the Palisades Reservoir in the Snake River Range, snowmobilers easily triggered slab avalanches 2 feet in depth, and on February 2, also in the Palisades area, a skier remotely triggered 2 large avalanches. Similar events are possible today. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and riders and skiers could trigger large slides. Careful snowpack assessment and good terrain choices are warranted to avoid encountering these dangerous conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Yesterday into today, moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds have formed dense wind slabs one to two feet in depth on leeward slopes. Strong winds today could increase the size of these slabs. Due to the recent formation of these slabs, they could be easily triggered by riders and skiers. It is warranted to avoid slopes affected by the wind, especially where cornices are found as this is a sure sign of wind-loading.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    There have been many periods of dry weather this season forming faceted snow grains that are now buried. Riders and skiers as well as the release of a wind slab could trigger slab avalanches one to four feet in depth on steep avalanche-prone terrain. Also, large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate one of these slabs. Be mindful of the surrounding terrain and the location of other backcountry travelers to avoid dangerous accidents involving large avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After the brief lull in the weather this evening, cloud cover is expected to increase overnight. Skies will be partly cloudy in the morning and then overcast by the late afternoon. Periods of light snowfall are expected over the forecast area with an accumulation of an inch or less and steady snowfall is expected to develop tomorrow night. Winds will be westerly to northwesterly at fifteen to thirty miles per hour. Temperatures will drop into the single digits and then tomorrow warm into the teens in the mountains and twenties in the valleys. Today's storm has formed wind slabs above 8,500 feet and also added weight to persistent weak layers at all elevations. These weak layers are buried one to four feet within the snowpack. Careful snowpack assessment and terrain selection are essential for skiers and riders to avoid triggering an avalanche. In the Tetons, the avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable at the upper elevations. This week there have been many human-triggered slides, and just a few days ago, snowmobilers remotely triggered a large avalanche. Keep in mind the potential weak structure that may be found on some slopes. In the Togwotee Pass and Grey’s River forecast areas, the avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate. Backcountry travelers could trigger large avalanches one to four feet in depth. Yesterday, a skier remotely triggered a large avalanche near Palisade Lake, and today, snowmobilers triggered multiple large avalanches 2 feet in depth with wide crowns by Sheep Creek Pass in the Snake River Range. This is a reminder of the poor structure that exists in the forecast area.

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