Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

It’s possible to trigger an avalanche in steep upper elevation, wind-affected terrain. Look for evidence of wind-loaded snow.  Watch for wet loose activity on steep sunny slopes. Rollerballs and wet, slushy snow should point you to cooler, shadier terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Isolated wind slabs exist at upper elevations. Northwest winds have moved recent snow into soft slabs up to a foot thick in exposed, wind-affected areas. Approach steep wind-loaded terrain with caution. Look for pillows, stiff drifts, and shooting cracks. Slabs sitting on slick bed surfaces will produce further runouts and faster-moving snow. Consider the consequences of getting knocked off your feet above cliffs or other no-fall zones.

    Cornices: Warming temperatures and sun will increase the sensitivity of cornices. Minimize time spent on slopes with cornices looking overhead. Cornices can act as large triggers impacting very deep weak layers.

    Similar conditions have produced avalanche activity over the past week. Give slopes with winded snow a wide margin, especially as the sun pops out today.

    (4/2/2024) Sheep Creek Peak. Photo: Mike Calla

  • Loose Wet

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

    Natural wet loose activity is possible today in steep terrain. Cool and cloudy weather in the mountains the last couple days kept the wet avalanche activity to a minimum and recent snow will shed. Today will be sunny and warmer, increasing the likelihood of this problem. Watch for changing surface conditions and rollerballs. Move to cooler, shadier slopes if you encounter wet, slushy snow. Consider overhead hazard if traveling below steep east through south through west facing slopes depending on time of day.

    (4/4/2024)

    A D1.5 wet loose avalanche. Wet loose avalanches often start at a point, near exposed rocks or trees, and fan out. 

    Photo: Cameron Galt

Avalanche Discussion

As we head into warm and sunny high pressure, consider the diurnal nature of spring avalanche problems and how the timing is tied to the conditions you're looking for. Checking overnight mountain temperatures is a good place to start to confirm or deny a solid refrozen morning crust that will thaw to optimal riding conditions before warming to the point of becoming unstable. Check the forecasted cloud cover to anticipate how quickly snow will warm with the sun. The biggest hazard out there might be challenging riding conditions. Adjust your movement and anticipate changing conditions to account for everything from soft conditions on shady aspects in the alpine to crusts, frozen debris, deep slushy snow, and a lower-elevation lack of snow that can easily sneak up on you as you exit the mountains. 

Help us improve avalanche forecasts! CLICK HERE to take an avalanche forecast survey and be entered into a prize drawing. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University, and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research are researching how skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, ice climbers, and anyone else who travels in the backcountry interpret avalanche forecast information. Part of this research includes a specific survey to better understand how useful avalanche forecast information is for trip planning. Thank you for sharing your feedback to help us improve avalanche hazard communication. 

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