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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Highlights

Cold temperatures and lighter wind speeds today, will lessen the chance of encountering a wind slab avalanche. The primary concern lies above 8,000 feet, where the weight of a single person could trigger a large destructive avalanche on buried weak layers 3 to 5 feet below the surface and possibly deeper on wind-loaded features. Due to the thickness of these slabs, backcountry travelers will probably not encounter any warning signs prior to the release of the avalanche. Increased snow depths and clear skies will cause people to travel into terrain that may not have seen traffic this season. Careful evaluation of the snowpack is essential to determine the presence of this avalanche problem. In the low elevations, avalanches are unlikely except in very steep isolated pockets.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The consequences of being caught in an avalanche involving the Dec 5th interface are severe. This week there has been several avalanches reported on this layer. Most of these slides occurred on avalanche-prone terrain above 8,500 feet on the north to east facing slopes and the failure has been on faceted snow over a stout crust. Backcountry travelers should use caution, good snowpack evaluation, and allow the snowpack time to adjust to last week’s significant loading event.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    There remains a chance for backcountry travelers to trigger wind slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet in depth on wind-loaded slopes along high ridges. These slides could then trigger more destructive avalanches on the deeply buried weak layers.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will build over the forecast area and any cloud cover in the morning should dissipate by the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to drop fifteen to five degrees below zero and then warm about ten degrees throughout the day. Winds will be light to moderate and veer to the northwest. In the Teton and Grey’s River forecast areas, the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable above 8,500 feet, and in the Togwotee Pass area Moderate above 8,500 feet. The primary concern are large slab avalanches failing by the weight of a single person on layers buried two to five feet deep. Due to the thickness of these slabs, backcountry travelers will probably not encounter warning signs prior to the release of the avalanche. Snowpack evaluation is essential to determine the presence of this avalanche problem. As wind speeds abate and temperatures cool wind slab avalanches will become unlikely. Below 8,000 feet, avalanches are unlikely except for isolated pockets on avalanche-prone terrain.

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