Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Very strong winds and heavy snowfall yesterday morning formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects. These slabs will be larger and more sensitive in areas that were favored by the storm that had strong impacts to eastern and southern portions of the area. Evaluate terrain and wind loading carefully and avoid terrain traps where even small slabs can sweep a skier or rider over rocky terrain or bury them in a feature such as a ditch where moving snow will pile up and quickly become deep. A slight chance also remains for larger triggers such as a snowmachine or a triggered wind slab to initiate a large avalanche involving deeply buried weak layers. If triggered, it would be unlikely to survive one of the deep slab avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds that varied from the northwest to the southeast have created soft to hard slabs. Snowfall during this event favored certain locations such as the Box Y Ranch and Blind Bull Summit plots where approximately a foot of snow fell. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs with depths of six inches to two feet in steep terrain. Avoid areas where even a small slab can have serious terrain consequences. Although temperatures are to stay cold today, these slabs could become more sensitive this afternoon in calm areas that receive significant direct sunlight.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A deep slab avalanche was observed to have occurred on a northwest aspect of Palisades Peak in the Snake River Range on February 1st. Deep persistent slab avalanches 4 to 7 feet in depth are unlikely except in isolated locations. They could be triggered by a snowmachine that crosses a thin area of a persistent slab, by the failure of a large cornice or possible be triggered by the movement of a surface slab .

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dry conditions are expected tonight through most of Tuesday. Skies are to be mostly clear and temperatures will be cold. Expect sub zero temperatures at all elevations in the morning with highs near ten at the upper elevations and near twenty at the lower elevations. Winds are to be out of the northeast overnight, then backing to the northwest with five to fifteen mile per hour averages during the day. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate on Tuesday. Wind slabs formed today could be triggered in loaded areas with depths to eighteen inches. These slabs will gain some strength overnight but could still be triggered particularly in unsupported slopes above cliff bands and in steep chutes where a wind drifted pocket may not be apparent from the top but could release mid slope. A remote chance continues for large triggers to trigger deep slab instabilities, particularly in steep known paths such as the east face of Lava Mountain that has not slid yet this year.

Regions covered