Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago.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

Highlights

Above 7500 feet, recent snow and wind have formed surface slabs on a variety of snow surfaces that will be sensitive to backcountry riders and skiers. The possibility also exists for failure to occur deeper in the snowpack on persistent weak layers. If triggered these deeper slabs will be large to very large and are likely to carry severe consequences to anyone involved. These dangers will increase this afternoon as the next system brings new snow and wind to western Wyoming. Avalanches below 7500 feet are unlikely today except in isolated pockets. Conservative decision making and an understanding of the snowpack is essential to safe backcountry travel today.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Dangerous deep slab avalanches 2 to 5 feet in depth could be human triggered on persistent weak layers that formed in mid-January and December. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate an avalanche on these buried weak layers. However, the weight of a single person could still trigger one of these slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered. Previous tracks on a suspect slope should not be considered to be an indication of stability.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Above 7500 feet, backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger soft surface in areas prone to wind loading with depths to two feet.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is to resume by morning and increase throughout the day with heaviest snowfall occurring during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures in the mountains are to reach the mid teens. Winds will be westerly to southwesterly with twenty to thirty mph averages.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 7500 feet and Low below that elevation. Recently formed wind slabs will grow in size and sensitivity as the new system impacts the higher elevations. Hazard also exists as these storms are further loading persistent buried weak layers formed in mid January and early December. Avalanches involving these deeper layers are likely to be large and carry serious consequences to anyone involved.

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