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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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday, a skier was caught, carried and fully buried on a west facing slope at an elevation of 9,600 feet in the Snake River Range. The skier was quickly recovered and did not sustain injuries. This avalanche was skier triggered, around 30 inches deep and failed on faceted snow. In steep avalanche terrain, similar persistent slabs remain possible above 7,500 feet. On sunlit aspects, abundant sunshine and warming temperatures might increase the likelihood of triggering these slides. Don’t let the weekend and blue skies impair your judgement. Evaluate the snowpack often, and don’t assume that one snowpit will give you a representative picture of the hazard. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab in very steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Snow depths in the mountains range from three to five feet and decrease to one to three feet in the valleys. In areas with snow depths on the higher end of the spectrum, buried layers of near surface facets and surface hoar remain a concern in the top three feet of the snowpack. These weak layers also exist in shallower snowpacks along with large grained, basal facets. Above 7,500 feet, the potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches ranging in depth from one to three feet. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger a small surface slab on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will continue to build over the region resulting in clear skies and inverted temperatures. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid-20s during the day. Ridgetop winds will be light and variable.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Saturday. The potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches one to three feet deep in steep avalanche terrain. Abundant sunshine and warming temperatures might increase the likelihood of triggering these slides on sunlit aspects. Don’t let the weekend and blue skies impair your judgement. Evaluate the snowpack often, and don’t assume that one snowpit will give you a representative picture of the hazard. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab in very steep terrain.

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