Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Avalanche problems

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1.5–2.5

  Around twenty-four inches of snow has fallen in the past three days with strong wind from the southwest and northwest. Wind has blown steadily near thirty miles an hour with gusts near seventy at wind stations in adjacent zones. Wind speeds that high build slabs further downslope and in surprising locations that are typically sheltered. 

  Your chances of triggering an avalanche will increase as slope angles steepen and snow becomes wind-affected. Look for signs of wind-driven snow such as shooting cracks, drifts, wind whales and sculpted surfaces. Diminishing wind yesterday may have deposited smoother looking snow on the surface, so evaluate carefully when you enter new terrain.

  

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Unlikely

  Size

  1.5–3

  Weak layers exist deeper in the snowpack with another crust formed just before this latest round of colder snow on Christmas. These layers are best preserved and weakest in higher, colder terrain especially on shady, north-facing slopes. These layers have not been active in the past six days but a chance of triggering remains, particularly above 9,000’ in very steep, alpine terrain. If triggered, these slabs could be two to four feet thick.