Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Natural avalanches could occur on sunlit slopes as sun warms the snowpack. You'll most likely find this problem in steep, rocky and sunny terrain. These slab avalanches could be 1-3' thick and easily bury a person.  You could trigger a similar avalanche in steep, shady terrain. Recreating on slopes under 30 degrees is your best bet today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Riders can trigger large, hard slab avalanches on very weak snow formed in December on all aspects above about 7,500 feet.  Avalanches could break 2 to 4 feet deep and are most likely to occur on steep, sunny or warm slopes. Today, beware of big terrain with a sunny aspect. Steep, rocky bowls and wind-sheltered, sunny slopes below tree-line could warm and send meltwater through the weakening slab to the weak layer below and release an avalanche without a human trigger.

    This persistent weak layer is becoming more stubborn, but can produce a very large avalanche.  Lower elevation slopes have become much more stable due to the past two days of warm temperatures. 

    (1/26/2024)

    This avalanche in the North Fork of Swift Creek  failed on a thin layer of facets on a stout crust. This thick crust is a perfect sliding layer today. This avalanche buried two riders last week.

    Photo: Frank Carus

Avalanche Discussion

While most of the surface snow problems like the wet loose avalanches have passed their peak, continued warm temperatures today will again send water deep into the snowpack.  This water will ultimately create a more stable snowpack, but only after the water stops draining through and refreezes. For now, continue to consider the consequences of triggering one of these slopes.  The weak layer has proven itself to be capable of propagating cracks a long distance around and across terrain features.  Remember the basics that increase your margin of safety.

  • Ride one at a time on steep slopes and keep an eye on your partner.
  • Use safe zones to regroup.
  • Everyone in your group should have a beacon, probe and shovel and know how to use it. Everyone.
  • Avoid terrain traps with steep slopes above.
  • Stay off of slopes where snow has become wet and slushy. 

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