Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While temperatures are starting out around 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, winter conditions exist in the mountains. As the day progresses above 8,500 feet, new snow and strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will create isolated pockets of shallow wind slab and add depth and volume to existing slabs. Skiers and riders could trigger these small to large slabs in steep avalanche prone terrain. Monitor the development of the new slabs, and be willing to alter your travel plans if rapid loading is occurring. Below 8,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger similar slabs on very steep isolated terrain features and couloirs. Otherwise, avalanche activity will be unlikely down there.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds and new snow will combine to form small wind slabs in leeward terrain. These slabs are building upon sun crusts that formed after Fridays warm up, and the new snow is also increasing the size of slabs that developed last week. Newly developed slabs could build to 6 inches in depth, and slabs that formed last week could increase to two feet deep. Any breaks in cloud cover in the afternoon will make these slabs more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Flow aloft will slowly back to the west, and a Pacific weather system will bring another round of snowfall to the area from midnight through most of the day on Sunday. By Sunday evening, five to ten inches of new snow could fall in the Tetons with lighter accumulations in the other two forecast zones. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Nighttime temperatures in the valleys will drop to near freezing before climbing into the mid-40s in the afternoon, and a mix of rain and snow will be possible during the day. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will increase to 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,500 feet on Sunday. New snow and strong southwesterly ridgetop winds will create new pockets of wind slab in leeward terrain and add depth and volume to existing slabs on slopes not impacted by the sun on Friday. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs in steep avalanche prone terrain. Newly developed slabs are likely to range in depth from 6 to 12 inches, and slabs that formed during the last week could range from two to three feet deep. Below 8,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger similar slabs on very steep isolated terrain features and couloirs. Otherwise, avalanche activity will be unlikely down there. Monitor the development of the new slabs, and be willing to alter your travel plans if conditions warrant.

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