Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Increasing wind today will create heightened avalanche conditions in the middle to upper elevations on steep wind loaded terrain where triggering an avalanche up to 1-2 feet deep is possible. Multiple avalanches have been triggered recently in adjacent zones off ridgelines and around rocky, wind affected terrain. Watch for visible snow transport as a clear indication of unstable slabs forming and be aware that older slabs could break deeper with less obvious signs of warning.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing wind today veering from southwest to west 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph will build fresh wind slabs by the afternoon less than a foot deep, primarily above 8500’. An additional 3-5 inches of snow is expected by the end of the day. Look for the wind visibly transporting snow as a clear sign that fresh slabs are forming. These will be more likely the higher you travel and in terrain open/exposed to the wind. Shooting cracks or fresh pillows/drifts are clear indications of unstable wind loading. 

    Although less likely, larger avalanches up to 2+ feet deep could be triggered in heavily wind affected terrain across an array of aspects above 8,000’. Poor bonding interfaces below stubborn wind slabs have resulted in D2 human triggered avalanches the last several days. Signs of instability on the snow surface may not be obvious until you trigger an avalanche capable of traveling above or cross-slope of you. Assess the snowpack below the surface before riding consequential terrain. 

    (3/19/2025)

    This deeper wind slab avalanche observed yesterday highlights where you can encounter wind loaded terrain off ridgelines. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Be Careful on Wind Loaded Slopes

The forecast area received over 3 feet of snow this last week after a period of dry weather. Strong wind from varying directions and large temperature fluctuations accompanied these storms. This combination has created multiple poor interfaces within the recent snow that have continued to produce avalanches up to D2 (See observations from Spring Creek and Polygamies). These avalanches have occurred on  leeward or cross-loaded slopes influenced by terrain driven winds. Near surface facets buried 3/13 have been identified on multiple bed surfaces of these avalanches (with crusts on W-S-E aspects). Warning signs such as shooting cracks may not be present due to the stubborn reactivity or stiff character of the overlying slab. Due to the uncertainty in these weak interfaces, it is advised to evaluate the snowpack carefully to identify any of these layers of concern. The good news is these weak interfaces are likely gaining strength over the time as the snowpack settled rapidly yesterday. Seek less consequential terrain sheltered from the wind to manage the avalanche problems today.  

Low avalanche danger exists in the lower elevations where recent snow experienced warm temperature with clear skies yesterday to improve stability. Use normal caution. 

Regions covered