Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche is possible in steep, wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. Watch for signs of instability such as cracking within the new snow. Carefully evaluate steep terrain features that may be loaded.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Soft slabs with depths up to one foot are possible in steep, wind loaded terrain at the upper elevations. The wind direction shifted from southwest to northwest last night and could have loaded/cross loaded a variety of terrain features. Several inches of new snow expected today, along with increasing wind speeds out of the northwest could make slabs more sensitive as the day progresses. Watch for, and steer clear of steep terrain with signs of loading including drifted pillows, cracking, and wind textured surfaces.

    (3/14/2024)

    Cracking snow surfaces, a sign of instability and wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow that formed in December persists at the base of the snowpack across the entire Greys River forecast zone. However, the thickness of the hard slabs that overlay this weak snow varies based on geographic location. In the middle and upper elevations of the Salt, Snake River, and deeper portions of the Wyoming Range, these weak layers are buried 3-5+ feet deep making it unlikely for a human to impact them. In shallow parts of the forecast zone, such as the far eastern side of the Wyoming Range, these slabs are only 2-3 feet thick making it possible for humans to trigger avalanches on the buried weak layers. Shallow, rocky, and unsupported terrain on the north half of the compass is where this problem has been most active. Keep in mind that a large trigger such as a cornice fall could trigger one of these very large avalanches, even in areas where the snowpack is deep.

    Careful snowpack evaluation is required in the Greys River zone due to variable snow depths. Probing or digging can provide useful information about the depth of the weak layers preserved at the bottom of the snowpack. This evaluation is critical if you are riding in a shallow part of the zone. A total snow depth of less than 6 feet (200cm) is a red flag.

    The last reported human-triggered avalanche involving deeply buried weak layers occurred on March 9th on the far eastern side of the Wyoming Range.

    (3/9/2024)

    The last reported human triggered persistent slab avalanche occurred on the far eastern side of the Wyoming Range.

Avalanche Discussion

3-5” of snow fell overnight in the Greys forecast zone. This snowfall was accompanied by westerly winds with average speeds in the teens and low twenties (mph). An additional 1-3” are expected today with wind speeds increasing throughout the day. Soft slabs are likely to be shallow and confined to steep, loaded terrain along ridge lines. However, be on the lookout for signs of instability and identify terrain traps where a small avalanche could be consequential. 

Temperatures dropped from near 30 to about 15 degF overnight at the upper elevations. This decrease, along with cooler forecasted temperatures today will make the wet avalanche activity that has been mentioned in the forecast recently unlikely.

Regions covered