Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche in wind drifted snow is possible in steep, upper elevation terrain. Slabs will be deepest in areas favored by the recent snowfall such as the Snake and Salt River Ranges. Watch for areas of unstable wind drifted snow and evaluate loaded terrain carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The upper elevations of the Greys River forecast zone have received anywhere from 3-8” of new snow in the past 48 hours. New snowfall has favored the Snake and Salt River Ranges. Winds were out of the west/northwest during this period with gusts up to 45 mph Triggering a wind slab up to a foot in depth is possible in steep, loaded terrain at the upper elevations. Most of these slabs will be small, but could knock you off your feet in consequential terrain. Watch out for areas of wind drifted snow that are deeper than about 6”. Shooting cracks indicate unstable snow. Evaluate the newest snow carefully in steep, wind loaded terrain.

    (3/28/2024)

    Signs and snow features to look for when identifying wind loaded terrain

    Photo: Alex Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

Snow totals from the most recent storm are lower than expected. Additionally, the distribution of snowfall varied across the range. The Salt River Range has received about 8” of snow in the past 48 hrs, while the Wyoming Range only picked up about 3”. However, it has been consistently windy across the entire zone. In some areas, enough snow has fallen to form shallow slabs that could be sensitive to the weight of a rider. In many areas, you may just experience “dust on crust”. It will be important to evaluate stability carefully on slopes where you find a significant amount of drifted snow. Choose terrain wisely to avoid getting knocked off your feet in consequential terrain.

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