Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

The avalanche danger will begin at MODERATE and quickly rise to CONSIDERABLE as new snow and wind form fresh slabs 1-3 feet deep that will be easily triggered by riders in steep, wind loaded terrain above 7,500’. Larger avalanches failing on weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep are also possible in very steep terrain. Cautious route finding around avalanche terrain and conservative decision making will be critical in order to avoid avalanche involvement today.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 5am on Tuesday

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and moderate winds out of the west will form fresh soft slabs 1 to 3 feet deep in exposed mid and upper elevation terrain. These slabs will be most sensitive to triggering while they are forming and could easily release under the weight of a rider today. Be on the lookout for signs of wind loading including blowing snow and fresh drifts of denser snow. Cracking, collapsing, and recent avalanches are signs that the new snow is unstable. Consider moving to low angle terrain if you observe these signs. While avalanches are most likely on wind affected slopes, don’t rule out very steep sheltered terrain if snow totals today hit the upper end of the forecasted amounts (12-14”).

    A small wind slab that was tiggered yesterday during a period of increased wind. Expect similar, but potentially larger, avalanches in wind loaded terrain today.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A thin layer of weak snow was buried on February 6th. Avalanches breaking 2-4 feet deep on this weak layer are possible today in steep terrain as new snow and wind add stress to the snowpack. This problem is most pronounced on the north half of the compass above 7,500’ on both sheltered and exposed slopes. Avalanches involving this layer also have the potential to propagate long distances across slopes making escape difficult. These avalanches may be triggered without any prior signs of instability and could occur after multiple riders put tracks on a slope.

    Riding low angle terrain and managing the new snow avalanche problem should be enough to avoid deeper avalanches. However, given the consequences of being caught in a slab at these depths it is important to build in extra margin around avalanche terrain today.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanches involving new and recent snow will be the primary concern today. Around 1-2 feet of medium density snow has fallen in the Salt and Wyoming Ranges over the past three days. Westerly winds kicked up this morning and have been redistributing that snow on leeward slopes. Snow has started to fall this morning and will increase the size and distribution of the new snow avalanches as the day progresses. Carefully monitor the changing conditions as you travel today. Safer skiing and riding can be found in lower angle terrain that is sheltered from the wind.

Weak layers of snow including a widespread rain crust and small facets were buried on February 6th and now lie 2-4 feet below the surface. While there has been little activity reported on these layers in this zone, it is worth noting that avalanches involving these interfaces have been triggered by people every day since they were buried in neighboring zones. Snowpits are showing that the recipe for these avalanches exist in the Salts and Wyoming Ranges. These layers should be considered guilty until proven innocent. The majority of activity observed on this layer has been in very steep (>35°) and cliffy terrain above 9,000’ that faces north through east. Keep the potential for deeper avalanches on your radar today as there will be little warning before triggering one of these slides.

Please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

Regions covered