Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Recent snowfall above 8,500’, strong winds and rain up to 8,700’ continue to stress weak layers in the snowpack. Evaluate the snow and weather carefully today if you venture out as abnormally warm and wet weather continues to impact the snowpack. A shallow snowpack at lower elevations continues to present obstacles to access and potential hazards just under the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Observers in the Tetons yesterday found conditions that were not as unstable as expected given the forecasted winter storm. They did however find that the snowpack structure remains a real concern despite the underwhelming amount of new snowfall. The primary layer of concern in the upper snowpack continues to show signs of potential triggering. Slab thickness could be two or even three feet thick in high, windloaded aspects. Observations are sparse in the Snake River, Salt and Wyoming Ranges due to limited access but a recent observation from Prater Canyon confirmed that weak layers formed in November are unstable. Dig frequently to identify layers of concern if you venture out.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You’ll find slab depths in wind loaded terrain of one to two feet with the greatest depths at higher elevations in exposed, rocky locations. Stubborn but thicker wind slabs that developed days ago may be up to two feet thick in high northerly locations. The warming conditions are likely to make these wind slabs easier to trigger. 

    Temperatures will continue to warm today so be aware of the potential for wet loose avalanches below 9,000’ or so. These could entrain new snow and push you where you don’t want to go.

Avalanche Discussion

Peak instability from this winter storm is likely to have passed already. Forecasted snowfall did not pan out but the warming trend and continued snowfall and wind remains a concern. This warmth will ultimately help stabilize our early season weak layers but the heat will increase instability for today. We’ll have to wait and see how today’s weather contributes to new snow avalanche problems. Weather forecast uncertainty contributes heavily to avalanche forecast uncertainty so evaluation is the name of the game today.

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