Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Buried layers of weak faceted snow continue to be a problem. Yesterday a snowmobiler was partially buried but not injured after triggering a slab avalanche on a southeast aspect west of Togwotee Pass. On Saturday a snowmobiler outran a 30 inch deep slab avalanche on an east aspect, east of Commissary Ridge. Similar events are possible today on a variety of aspects. Warming temperatures will increase the likelihood for these slabs to be triggered by humans.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Buried layers of faceted snow exist within the snowpack in some areas, near the base of the snowpack in other areas, and in some locations our shallow early season snow pack is entirely faceted. Humans could trigger slab avalanches on these weak layers today. Slab depths are likely to be 30 inches or less on most aspects however, steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet are capable of producing dangerous full depth avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The dry northwest flow will continue to bring mild temperatures to the area. On Tuesday skies will be mostly sunny with daytime highs rising into the 30s in the mountains. Winds will be westerly at 15 to 25 with gusts to 35 miles per hour.On steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet deep persistent slabs are still a concern, especially for larger triggers such as snowmobiles. Pockets of wind slab one to two feet in depth formed by west and northwest winds also pose a threat to humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain at the upper elevations. These slabs could fail on buried layers of faceted snow. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 8,500 feet and LOW below that elevation.

Regions covered