Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Avalanches can be triggered today in steep wind loaded terrain today at the mid and upper elevations.  Terrain near peaks and ridges, particularly in and around cliffs are most susceptible to failure.  Avoid areas that appear steep and  wind loaded, or deeper, than surrounding terrain. The mountains will be busy today, make conservative decisions to ensure a safe holiday season. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Soft and hard wind slabs have formed during the last several days. These slabs will be most sensitive in steep terrain at the upper elevations where they may be large and have depths of one to three feet. At the mid elevations, depths to two feet are possible, particularly in south facing and other terrain that may have developed crusts earlier in the week. At low elevations, the snowpack that was saturated on Tuesday has frozen and avalanches are unlikely except on isolated features.  

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Old buried weak layers persist in the snowpack.  These weaknesses are well preserved in the Southwest Trails area and could still fail to the weight of a single person or after they are impacted by the release of a smaller wind slab. If triggered these slabs will be large to very large hard slabs with depth of 4-6 feet at the higher elevations and 2-5 feet at the mid elevations. 

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last week over 18" of snow has fallen in the Wyoming Range. Most of the came during the last two days on the heals of a brief, very warm period that brought heavy snow to higher elevations and  rain to the lower elevations.  This moisture and dramatic temperature swings have helped to lessen the chance of drawing out the old weakness in the snowpack, especially at the low elevations where the snowpack was shrink wrapped to the terrain.  In the Snakes, Salts, and Wyoming Ranges, these weak layers remain a real concern. The danger today is real. Human triggered events are likely and backcountry riders and skiers need to be conservative and stay off of steep terrain at this time.  

Regions covered