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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Persistent slabs continue to pose a threat to backcountry travelers. On Saturday a snowmobiler triggered a hard slab on Commissary Ridge in the Smiths Fork area that was 30 inches deep and failed on faceted snow near the ground. Recent new snow and west to northwest winds have created pockets of new wind slab up to a foot in depth and increased the load on these dangerous persistent slabs. Conservative terrain choices are warranted. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Hard slabs, with depths to four feet, lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow and are unstable in isolated areas. Large loads, such as groups of people or snowmobiles or the release of a fresh wind slab could trigger one of these slabs. Some potential remains for a single person to trigger one of these hard slabs, especially in areas where these slabs are thin. Previous tracks and the lack of recent avalanche activity are not indications of stability.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will continue to be at least partly cloudy with a chance of snow flurries, light snow showers and areas of morning valley fog. Temperatures will remain in the single digits and teens. Winds will remain west-northwesterly and are forecast to diminish to 5 to 15 miles per hour.At the upper elevations pockets of surface slab formed by west-northwest winds with depths to 18 inches could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Persistent slabs with depths from two to five feet continue to be a threat at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are likely to be more sensitive to human triggers in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas and may be human triggered in isolated areas on a variety of aspects in the Teton forecast area. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.

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