Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Temperatures are starting out around five degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Above 8,000 feet, daytime warming will increase the likelihood for skiers and riders to trigger recently developed wind slabs. If extended periods of sunshine occur, natural activity could develop as the day progresses. Warming conditions will also bring about the possibility of wet slides on steep, sunlit slopes. Don’t let recent snowfall, sunshine or the weekend timeframe impair your judgement. Monitor temperatures and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become saturated. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely at the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Daytime warming will increase the chance for skiers and riders to trigger wind slabs up to 18 inches deep on steep, avalanche-prone slopes above 8,000 feet. As the day progresses, shedding of the recent snowfall could occur naturally if mostly sunny skies dominate. These slides have the potential to travel long distances and entrain significant amounts of snow in very steep, sustained terrain. Keep a close eye on the weather, and make careful terrain choices.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    The amount of sunshine through the day will be the primary factor for the development of wet slides. Above 8,000 feet, shallow wet sluffs could develop on sunlit aspects as snow surfaces start to dampen. As the day continues to warm, wet slabs involving the recent snowfall could release naturally on sunlit aspects if cloud cover becomes sparse.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect light mountain snow and possible valley rain overnight and into Sunday as Pacific moisture rides up and over a weak, approaching ridge of high pressure. Cloud cover is forecasted to remain over the region through the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the low to mid 30s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet on Sunday morning. As the day warms, the chance will increase for skiers and riders to trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet deep in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. In many areas in the mountains, the snowfall from the end of the week has not undergone a significant warmup, and a shedding cycle remains possible. Temperatures will be five to ten degrees warmer than Saturday, and if extended periods of sunshine occur, a shedding cycle could still develop. If this scenario happens, the hazard will increase to Considerable in the Tetons where higher amounts of snowfall accumulated at the end of the week. The chance for wet slides involving the recent snowfall will also return as the day warms, particularly on sunlit aspects if cloud cover decreases. Monitor warming conditions and the impact of the sun, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain if snow surfaces start to become saturated. Significant avalanche activity is unlikely below 8,000 feet.

Regions covered