Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong wind has created heightened avalanche conditions on steep wind loaded terrain where triggering slabs 1-2 feet deep is possible. Visible wind loading and slab avalanches were observed yesterday with continued strong west/southwest wind today. Seek more sheltered terrain today and evaluate the snow carefully on steep terrain potentially wind loaded in the middle and upper elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong west/southwest wind 25-35 mph with gusts 50-60 mph yesterday formed fresh wind slabs less than 12 inches deep with continued wind overnight into today. Wind slabs will be larger and easier to trigger the higher you travel in elevation and into more open/exposed terrain primarily above 8500’. Look for signs of recent wind loading including fresh cornices, shooting cracks, stiffened surfaces, and large pillows/drifts. Strong winds like this can load atypical terrain upslope or cross-slope. 

    Although less likely, larger avalanches up to 2+ feet deep could be triggered in heavily wind affected terrain across all aspects above 8,000’. Triggering fresh wind slabs could step down to deeper layers. Weak interfaces below stubborn wind slabs have resulted in D2 human triggered avalanches the last several days. Assess the snowpack on wind loaded terrain directly off ridgelines or around rocky, wind affected slopes where you are more likely to encounter these avalanches. Use caution as signs of instability on the snow surface of these slopes may not be obvious.

    (3/19/2025)

    This deeper wind slab avalanche observed 3/19 highlights where you can encounter wind loaded terrain off ridgelines. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Windy Conditions

Strong wind events like this can be more difficult to identify wind loaded terrain. Wind slabs can still be found on more obvious features such as off ridgelines and around confined features like couloirs or cliff bands. But, strong wind can load atypical slopes from blowing snow upslopes or cross-slope. Predicting where the wind has previously transported snow becomes more difficult with stronger, longer duration wind events. Keep your eyes peeled today. 

The forecast area received over 2 feet of snow this last week after a period of dry weather. Strong wind from varying directions and large temperature fluctuations accompanied these storms. This combination has created multiple weak interfaces within the recent snow. A crust layer capped with near surface facets buried 3/13 has been identified on multiple bed surfaces of recent avalanches in adjacent zones. The good news is these weak interfaces will gain strength over time once conditions simmer down. Use caution as changing conditions will stress the upper snowpack for the next couple days.

Lower amounts of recent snow combined with less wind loading will create lower avanche danger below 7500'. Use normal caution and watch for small avalanches in lower elevations around large wind funnels like canyons. 

Regions covered