Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through 6 PM tonight. Two primary avalanche problems confront backcountry users today. First, skiers and riders are very likely to trigger newly developed wind slabs ranging in depth from one to three feet. These slabs could also release naturally. Second, deep persistent slabs could release naturally, be human triggered or step down from the release of a wind slab above. As the day progresses, slide depths and volumes will continue to increase for both avalanche problems. Backcountry travelers could also trigger loose snow sluffs that entrain significant amounts of snow. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    Strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds and abundant snowfall have created new winds slabs. These slabs are building upon snow surfaces that faceted during the cold spell earlier in the week. Temperatures have continued to warm since yesterday afternoon, which has likely created upside-down conditions with heavy snow overlying lighter density snow. Backcountry travelers choosing to venture into avalanche terrain are very likely to trigger these slabs to depths of one to three feet.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Deep persistent slabs, which lie upon a faceted snow/rain crust combination in terrain that held snow from early October, are likely to release naturally or be triggered by skiers and riders. The likelihood of these slabs releasing will continue to rise as additional snowfall increases the load on the buried persistent weak layer. These hard slabs are likely to be three to five feet deep and could break out high in the starting zones. Surviving one of these slides is unlikely.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Western Wyoming through 6 PM on Saturday. Strong westerly flow combined with ample Pacific moisture will bring another significant snowfall event to the region. Expect 12 to 24 inches of new snow in the mountains by Saturday evening. Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds at 20 to 30 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 20 before rising into the mid 20s during the day.The general avalanche hazard is expected to rise to HIGH. As the day progresses, the chance of triggering newly developed soft slabs will increase and become very likely by the end of the day. These slabs, which could also release naturally, are forming on faceted snow and could reach depths of three feet by Saturday evening. In terrain that held snow from early October, deep persistent slabs are likely to release naturally or be human triggered. In the Tetons, these slabs could have depths ranging from four to six feet. Slab depths are expected to be in the three to five foot range in the Greys River forecast zone and around two to four feet deep in the Togwotee Pass area. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHEN HIGH AVALANCHE HAZARD EXISTS.

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