Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

Highlights

The snowpack is weak and dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The incoming storm will further increase the hazard today. While skiers and riders could trigger wind slab avalanches on density breaks within the new and recent snowfall, the primary concern continues to be persistent slab avalanches. Skiers and riders can trigger avalanches involving old weaknesses in the snowpack. These slabs will be larger and more sensitive above 7500 feet and could also occur at lower elevations where they will likely release as wet slabs. Evaluate the snowpack to identify weak layers and make conservative terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Faceted snow and melt-freeze crusts formed during an extended dry period that ended on December 11th. Since that time, the higher elevations of the area have received close to two inches of snow water equivalent. Slabs that could be soft or hard can be triggered in avalanche terrain with depths to 30 inches at the higher elevations and to eighteen inches at the low elevations. Be particularly wary of unsupported slopes and cliff areas.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After a night with lingering mountain clouds, the next round of moisture is to occur on Tuesday. The Tetons could see an additional 6 inches, the Salts 4-5” and Togwotee Pass should see 2-4”. Winds will remain gusty overnight and are to be very strong during the day with averages near 40 mph and gusts at least into the sixties. These winds are to be westerly during the storm. Temperatures are to remain on the warm side but not be as warm as today, with mountain highs in the twenties and valleys reaching the thirties. The general avalanche danger on Tuesday will be Considerable above 7500 feet in the Teton and Southwest trails areas and Moderate below that elevation in those areas and at all elevations in the Togwotee Pass area. Persistent weaknesses that were buried on December 11th are prevalent throughout avalanche terrain in western Wyoming. Slabs with depths to three feet could be easily triggered in the higher elevations of the Teton and Southwest areas while smaller slabs are possible elsewhere. The predicted snowfall and very strong winds will further load and increase the sensitivity of these slabs as well as form new shallow wind slabs on leeward slopes.

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