Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will increase by the late afternoon as increasing westerly wind forms fresh, reactive slabs primarily above 8500’. Identify wind loaded terrain off leeward ridgelines and cross loaded terrain features around gullies, cliffs, or couloirs where triggering avalanches around a foot deep is possible. Seek more sheltered terrain and assess stability of the new snow today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    7-9 inches of the snow over the last 48 hours combined with shifting south to west wind has formed slabs up to 12 inches deep on wind loaded terrain in the upper elevations. Increasing wind in the afternoon will form newer and more reactive wind slabs. Triggering avalanches will be more likely the higher you travel in elevation and into more open/exposed terrain to the wind. Look for signs of instability including stiffened snow surfaces, shooting cracks, or large pillow/drifts formed. Variable new to old snow interfaces could make wind slabs more reactive on specific terrain. 

    Watch for dry loose avalanches on steep terrain over 35° if you find forecasted high end snow totals around 6” by the end of the day. Recent snow has fallen on a variety of different snow surfaces that vary by aspect. Perform quick hand shear tests and assess how the recent snow is bonding to old snow surfaces.

    Shooting cracks provide a clear indication of unstable snow on wind loaded terrain. 

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Windy Afternoon

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day in direct correlation to increasing west/southwest wind. Sustained wind exceeding 20 mph with gusts in the high 30s will develop around noon. We could encounter the high end of Moderate danger rating by the late afternoon/evening. If you encounter increasing wind intensity  and observe visible snow transport, seek more sheltered terrain as small wind slabs will be most reactive while they are actively forming. Larger wind slabs will be possible by the late afternoon. 

Recent snow has trended more stable since the beginning of the storm where snow came in warm and wet easily failing on previously formed crusts on southerly aspects. Cooling temperatures over the last 36 hours have helped lock up the recent snow on southerly aspects. The big question is how northerly aspects are bonding. Faceted surfaces prior to the storm have been identified on sheltered northerly aspects. These new to old snow interfaces may take longer to bond. Use careful snowpack assessment on northerly aspects where this interface exists.

If you see avalanche activity or would like to help inform our forecasts, please consider submitting an observation HERE. You can also text what you see to us at 307-264-3050.

 

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