Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 8,500 feet, where the weight of a single person could trigger a high consequence slab avalanche with depths to 5 feet. Yesterday, guides in the Snake River range observed evidence of widespread avalanche activity from the recent loading event and triggered, with explosives, large to very large avalanches. Due to the thickness of these slabs, backcountry travelers may not encounter warning signs prior to the release of the avalanche. Along with large to very large persistent slab avalanches, skiers and riders could also encounter small wind slab avalanches on steep, wind-loaded slopes at the upper elevations. Increased snow depths and clear skies will cause people to travel into terrain that may not have seen traffic this season. Careful evaluation of the snowpack is essential to determine the presence of this avalanche problem. In the low elevations, avalanches are unlikely except in very steep isolated pockets.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The consequences of being caught in an avalanche involving the Dec 5th interface are severe with slab depths of 3 to 5 feet and possibly deeper on wind-loaded features. This week there have been several avalanches reported on this layer. Most of these slides occurred on avalanche-prone terrain above 8,500 feet on slopes facing north to east, and the failure has been on faceted snow. Backcountry travelers should use caution, good snowpack evaluation, and allow the snowpack time to adjust to last week’s significant loading event.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A ridge of high pressure will keep conditions dry and cold. Overnight temperatures will drop below zero and then warm into the teens. Westerly winds will be 10 to 20 mph on ridges in the mountains. Avalanche conditions continue to be dangerous. Above 8,500 feet, the weight of a single person could trigger high consequence slab avalanches with depths to five feet. This avalanche problem may not present with warning signs, and a slope could be skied many times before the thin spot on the slab is triggered. In the Grey’s River and Teton forecast areas, the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable at the upper elevations. In the Togwotee Pass forecast area, where there is less snow with softer and thinner slabs, the avalanche hazard will be Moderate. Due to the unpredictable nature of persistent avalanche problems, backcountry travelers should use careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route-finding when traveling through the mountains tomorrow.

Regions covered