Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger could rise to Considerable by the afternoon on slopes facing the sun above 7,500’ as natural and human triggered wet slab avalanches will be possible. Above freezing temperatures last night combined with two days of very warm temperatures with strong solar influence will destabilize the upper portion of the snowpack, especially on steep slopes around rock features. Monitor snow surfaces and cloud cover throughout the day, and avoid steep slopes if surfaces become wet, slushy, and unsupportable.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Daytime temperatures over 40°F the last two days with above freezing temperatures last night will make triggering 1-2 foot wet slab avalanches possible. Mountain weather stations below 10,450’ did not drop below freezing temperatures. Wind slabs formed the last several days will behave as wet slabs as free flowing water moves through the snowpack. In addition, multiple poor interfaces (crusts and facets) will provide hardness changes for water to pool in the upper portion of the snowpack also creating wet slab potential. Monitor snow surfaces throughout the day and avoid slopes that become wet and unsupportable. Slopes facing the sun including W-S-E aspects are where wet slabs avalanches could occur naturally. Wet slab likelihood will increase if skies remain clear by the afternoon. Steep slopes around rock features where solar influence has been strongest the last couple days will be the most hazardous. 

    Wet Loose: Smaller avalanches will be possible across all elevations and most aspects with continued warm temperatures. Monitor snow surfaces as mentioned above. 

    Cornice Falls: Increased temperatures will also destabilize cornices. Give cornices a wide margin of safety and be careful along ridgelines as they can break further back than expected. Limit exposure under cornices where natural falls could occur.

    (4/2/2024)

    Upper portions of the snowpack will continue to destabilize resulting in slab avalanches similiar to this one that will be wet. 

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures in the spring influence both the snow quality and avalanche danger significantly. Spring time enthusiasts monitor the daily temperatures in order to gauge how the snow can quickly change now that April has arrived. Above freezing temperatures at night are a red flag, and that just occurred last night. Mountain weather stations above the valley inversion have all remained above freezing except higher elevations above 10,000' and cooler areas of the zone such as the Wyoming Range. Below freezing temperatures were recorded a few weather station including at Mt Coffin  (10,870') and Blind Bull ( 9,000'). The tricky part is that forecasts are calling for steady south wind 15-25 mph with developing cloud cover throughout the day. This will help keep snow surfaces cool and reduce solar influence on southerly aspects. Cloud cover is especially hard to forecast. If skies remain clear, you can expect to see increased avalanche danger. The best way to manage avalanche danger today will be to monitor snow surfaces. If you encounter wet and slushy conditions creating unsupportable snow with easy boot penetration then steep slopes will become unstable and reactive. Adjust your travel plans accordingly. Steep southeast slopes will warm first followed by south and then southwest. Free flowing water is moving through the snowpack, especially without a solid refreeze last night. Therefore, dangerous wet slab avalanches will be possible if the right conditions line up today. If cloud cover develops limiting solar influence and you do not encounter those obvious signs of wet snow then avalanche danger will remain at Moderate.

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