Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanches are unlikely in the majority of terrain today. Isolated areas of unstable snow may be found in very steep upper elevation terrain harboring older wind slabs. These slabs will be up to a foot deep and could be large enough to knock you over. This is a more serious problem in terrain where a fall or loss of control has high consequences. Large avalanches involving weak layers buried 2-4 feet deep are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Soft slabs up to a foot deep were formed 48 hours ago by moderate winds shifting from the west to southeast. These slabs are becoming harder to trigger, but could still be sensitive to the weight of a rider. This will be an isolated problem found on very steep (>35°), wind loaded starting zones above 9,000’. Easterly winds are an unusual wind direction and may have formed slabs in terrain that does not typically see loading. Be on the lookout for pockets of unstable wind drifted snow, especially in rocky couloirs or near cliff bands. Triggering a small wind slab has the potential to knock you off your feet or machine and can have serious consequences above cliffs or other terrain traps.

    Additional Discussion:

    Temperatures are forecasted to be 5-10 degrees warmer than yesterday. Clear and calm conditions today may result in small wet loose avalanches that initiate in steep south facing terrain near cliffs. These slides will be relatively harmless to people except in consequential terrain.

    (1/22/2025)

    Cracking in unstable wind drifted snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers of snow are buried 2-4 feet deep in the Salt River and Wyoming ranges. Triggering a large hard slab avalanche at these depths is unlikely, but not impossible. Instability is most likely to be found in very steep, north facing terrain where the snowpack is thin and therefore weakest. Weak spots (trigger points) include wind-scoured areas, hanging snowfields above cliffs, and rocky terrain. Larger triggers such as groups, snowmobiles, or falling cornices, will increase the odds of impacting these weak layers. Choosing terrain that minimizes consequences and remaining vigilant when traveling in avalanche terrain continues to be a good call.

    (1/13/2025)

    This photo from the Wyoming Range is an example of where you can trigger persistent weak layers. 

Avalanche Discussion

Slab thickness above buried weak layers varies significantly across the Salt/Wyoming ranges. The odds of triggering a persistent slab are higher on isolated terrain features where weak layers are buried 2-3 feet deep. Areas where the persistent weak layer is buried 3-4 feet deep, such as upper elevations or many parts of the Salt River Range, will be even less likely. The last reported cycle of persistent slab avalanches occurred three weeks ago. Significant loading in the future could reactivate these layers and will be monitored with the return of stormy weather. For now, snow surfaces will continue to weaken over the next 4 days of high pressure and will be the primary layer of concern when snowfall returns to the region.

Please continue to send us your observations. Thank you!

Regions covered