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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Highlights

New snow and high winds will create wind slabs that will be sensitive to human triggers later in the day. These slabs will be most prominent above an elevation of 8,500 feet. With average wind speeds forecasted to be in the 50 mph range, expect unusual loading patterns. Slabs will be forming on a wide variety of snow surfaces. Use caution when route finding and be on the lookout for wind loaded features. In steep isolated areas, the potential still remains for avalanches to release on deeper weak layers within the snowpack. Below 8,500 feet avalanches are unlikely today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    New snow accompanied with strong southwest winds will form slabs in leeward starting zones. These slabs will grow throughout the day and become easier to trigger as the day progresses. Expect loading patterns to form slabs further down and across slopes than normal. Because of this it will be critical to assess the snow prior to committing to terrain. Expect slab depths in the one foot range by the end of the day.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers deeper in the snowpack hold the remote potential to fail under stress from new loading. While avalanches failing at this depth are unlikely, it is important to keep these deeper issues on the radar.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect from 11pm tonight until 11pm Friday. Moist southwest flow accompanied with high winds will bring snow to all elevations. Snowfall will begin overnight with 1-3” possible by morning. Snowfall will increase in intensity during the day. By sunset on Thursday expect 10-12” in the Tetons, 6-8” on Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide, and 8-10” in the Grey’s River/Southwest Trails zones. Winds overnight will be out of the southwest in the mid-twenties. Winds speeds will ramp up during the day with averages in the 40-50 mph range in the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the low twenties at 10,000’ with valley locations in the low thirties. The avalanche danger will start out similar to today and rise throughout the day. Rapid loading will help to create unstable conditions. Newly formed wind slabs will be most sensitive later in the day. Initial instabilities will likely involve the new snow and depend on bonding with the wide variety of snow surfaces currently covering the mountains. As loading continues, deeper weak layers within the snowpack will be put under additional stress. By late afternoon, expect the danger to be Considerable in the upper elevations in the Tetons and Southwest Trails and Moderate to Considerable in the upper elevations on Togwotee Pass. At mid and low elevations the danger will likely be Moderate in the afternoon.

Regions covered