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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Highlights

Strong winds and moderate to heavy snowfall will combine to increase the avalanche hazard at all elevations during the afternoon and especially during the evening hours. Southwest winds will create new wind slabs on leeward aspects that will become sensitive to human triggers. At the upper elevations rapid loading will increase the potential for dangerous deep slab avalanches to become unstable. The greatest impacts from an approaching storm system are expected to occur overnight. Monitor conditions for escalating avalanche hazards and be prepared to adjust travel plans if intense loading conditions develop.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    On northwesterly to northeasterly aspects above 9,000 feet, deep slabs lie upon faceted snow and hard crusts. A single rider or skier could impact this weak layer and trigger a large, destructive avalanche with slab depths up to five feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to cause failure of this weak layer. As the day progresses blowing snow will rapidly load avalanche starting zones and increase the potential for deep slab avalanche occurrences.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southwest winds will begin to form new wind slabs on leeward aspects. These new surface slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses. It is possible that human triggered wind slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered in steep avalanche starting zones on a variety of aspects.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another significant storm system is quickly moving towards the region. Snow is forecast to develop during the morning hours and become heavy later in the day and evening. On Tuesday west winds will back to the southwest and increase to 30 to 40 with gusts to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the single digits and teens. Strong winds and heavy snowfall will combine to rapidly increase the general avalanche hazard at all elevations during the afternoon and evening hours. New wind slabs will gain volume and become increasingly sensitive to human triggers. Rapid loading at the upper elevations will increase the potential for dangerous deep slab avalanches to be human triggered or release naturally. Monitor conditions and be prepared to avoid avalanche terrain if intense loading conditions develop.

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