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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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist in terrain above 7500 feet. Backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger large to very large surface slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. Once initiated, these slabs could cause failure of deeper weak layers in the snowpack. Natural avalanches remain a possibility today given the very strong ridgetop winds. At low elevations, recent snow lies over a weak snowpack. Small slabs could be triggered in isolated steep areas and exposure risks also exist in run out zones of large avalanche paths.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    During the recent storm, strong southwest to northwest winds accompanied heavy snowfall, building wind slabs with depths to four feet. Very strong winds this morning continue to distribute snow near peaks and along ridge crests. Shallow wind slabs could fail on density breaks near the surface and deeper slabs to as much as four feet could be human triggered in steep avalanche terrain above 7500 feet. At lower elevations, there is little distinction between wind slabs and persistent slabs. At these elevations soft slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered in steep loaded terrain.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Persistent weak layers lie buried within the snowpack. Although more likely to be triggered following the release of a large wind slabs, they could also fail by the weight of a single rider or skier, even after a slope has been tracked. Once triggered these slabs could have depths to six feet. At low elevations, there is little distinction between wind slabs and persistent slabs At these elevations soft slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered in steep loaded terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Tuesday looks to be mostly cloudy. Some snow could fall, particularly in the Salt and Wyoming ranges as moisture is pushed up from the south. Southwest winds are to have 20-30 mph averages. Temperatures in the mountains are to rise from the single digits to the mid-teens. The general avalanche hazard ratings will be the same as today. Although avalanches are becoming less sensitive to human triggers, large and dangerous slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects. Above 7500 feet the recent snow lies as wind slabs and additional concern lies with buried persistent layers. Below 7500 the distinction between wind slabs and persistent slabs is not worth making. The snowpack is weak and where new snow has formed slabs in very steep terrain, they could be triggered and involve weak snow to the ground. Although the size and the sensitivity of potential avalanches varies by forecast area, the ratings will all be Considerable above 7500 feet and Moderate below that elevation.

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