Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise to Moderate today. Heightened avalanche conditions will exist as new snow and wind will create unstable conditions at upper elevations. Human-triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep could become likely in steep, upper elevation terrain by the end of the day. Use caution around steep, wind-affected slopes, and watch for drifting snow and shooting cracks.

We will issue our last daily Avalanche Forecast of the season for this zone on Monday, April 5th. We will issue General Avalanche Information Bulletins as needed through early May and compile 24-Hour Snow and Weather Data (aka the Big Sheet) through June 1. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Up to 6 inches of snow over the last 3 days, combined with another 5-7 inches today, and moderate southwest winds, will continue to form sensitive slabs on leeward aspects above 9,000 feet. Increasing winds today will add to the problem. Slabs could be 1-2 feet deep by this evening at upper elevations and sensitive to the weight of a rider on steep slopes.  Look for drifting snow in steep terrain below ridges, around cliffs, and in cross-loaded gullies. Avalanches in new snow could run farther and faster than expected on recently buried crusts. Use caution around upper-elevation northerly slopes that had particularly hard, smooth surface crusts before being buried two days ago. Move to sheltered, lower-angle slopes if you find stiff drifts or shooting cracks.

    If storm snow totals reach 6+”, watch for loose snow sluffing in very steep, protected terrain later in the day.

    Watch for fresh wind slabs in steep, exposed terrain below ridges and around cliffs.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

By the end of the day, storm totals from this week could add up to over 12”. Increasing winds will continue to build slabs throughout the day. The avalanche danger will be greatest where new snow is sitting on recently buried crusts. Monitor snow totals throughout the day and periodically dig down to see how the new snow is bonding to the underlying crust. Pay particular attention to upper-elevation, shady slopes that are being loaded by the wind today. Bonding between recent snow and crusts could vary significantly based on aspect and elevation. Many snow surfaces left by the 2 weeks of high pressure were textured by the sun and warm temperatures before being buried, while northerly surfaces remained cooler and more planar. These smooth bed surfaces could be more reactive in steep terrain. Several loose snow avalanches were observed in steep upper-elevation terrain yesterday in the Tetons and Togwotee aided by warm temperatures and smooth bed surfaces. Cooling temperatures today and “right-side-up” snow will help, but we will still see activity in steep terrain with enough loading.

Don’t get caught off guard by the short-lived return to winter-like conditions today. If we get enough snow, wind slabs will be reactive. Loose snow sluffing will be possible in very steep, protected terrain. This new snow will also cover up melted out logs and rocks, especially at middle elevations. Keep this in mind when getting into and out of the mountains. 

Please continue to send in any avalanche observations.

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