Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow with west/southwest wind has formed slabs 1-2 feet deep and stressed weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep making human triggered avalanches possible. Avalanches will be most probable on very steep, complex, and wind loaded terrain. Choose less consequential terrain to manage the uncertainty associated with the large amount of snowfall from the recent storms. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Over the last week the zone received 33-54 inches of snow. This snow was accompanied by west-southwest wind forming slabs 1-2 feet deep on wind loaded slopes. These slabs will be less reactive tha previous days, but still possible to trigger an avalanche today. Look for signs of instability such as cracking. Be on the lookout for indications of recently wind loaded terrain including cornice formations, large pillows/drifts, and stiffened or hollow sounding snow. Wind loaded terrain also overlaps where the most persistent slab avalanches have been triggered on north-east aspects. 

    (2/1/2025)

    Very steep, wind loaded terrain remains a concern in the middle and upper elevations. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep remain possible to trigger on very steep slopes over 35° in complex terrain. Slab depths on wind loaded terrain could be up to 4 feet deep. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large, dangerous avalanche that is capable of propagating far across or upslope.  This problem has been more pronounced on north through east aspects above 7500’. Multiple tracks on a slope may not indicate that a slope is stable. Stick to lower consequence terrain away from terrain traps and rocky, convex, very steep slopes while the snowpack heals after being rapidly loaded by a large amount of snow. Any heavily wind affected terrain where the overlying slab depth varies should be approached cautiously. 

    (1/13/2025)

    This photos shows and example of where you can trigger persistent weak layers. 

Avalanche Discussion

Heightened Avalanche Conditions Despite the Drop in Danger Rating

A series of storms from February 14-19 produced a heavy amount of snowfall. Observations during this period were few and far between due to difficult travel and poor visibility. Any observations were direct action related to new snow instability (and deep powder riding in lower angle terrain). Now that the weather has settled down it is important to assess how the snowpack has adjusted to the stress of adding 2-4.5” of snow water equivalent to a snowpack riddled with weak layers buried at the beginning of February. We haven’t had any reported avalanches stepping down to weak layers. This is a good sign, but we aren’t totally clear yet. Human triggered avalanches may still be possible, especially on steeper avalanche prone slopes. Wind slab or persistent slab avalanches are a concern, especially where they overlap. Slopes that avalanche more regularly should certainly be avoided today. Over time, buried weak layers will adjust to the load and become more stubborn, but this process is slow and takes time. Every day is only incrementally safer than the last. For this reason, it is best to keep it more conservative today and avoid slopes where the consequences of triggering an avalanche will be more severe above trees, rocks, or terrain traps.

Avalanche incidents are common on days with Moderate danger, especially the first day the danger has been dropped. 

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