Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanches that are large enough to bury a person are unlikely today but the avalanche danger will increase slightly throughout the day. Pockets of wind slab exist in exposed terrain, especially in the alpine. For the most part these slabs are shallow and fairly stubborn. Small avalanches in extreme terrain can still have severe consequences. Monitor the effects of oncoming storm and  pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow. 

The avalanche danger will start off at LOW today but could increase to MODERATE at the upper elevations if the forecasted wind/snow show up earlier than expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Small wind slabs (size 1) that are 6-10 inches thick exist at the upper elevations on a variety of aspects. Ridgeline winds have been variable in both direction and magnitude since Monday's snowfall. These wind slabs could be soft or hard, with the hard slabs being quite stubborn. Look for signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow and monitor the effects of the sun on the snow surface. 

    New snow and wind later today and this evening will combine to form fresh wind slabs. These slabs should be very small but will lie on a variety of snow surfaces, including, but not limited to, near surface facets, wind board, wind skin, and sun crusts. 

    (2/14/2023)

    Snowpack on Ramshorn, 9,000', NE aspect.

    Photo: Drinkard

Avalanche Discussion

The savvy backcountry user will continue to look for signs of instability today especially as the forecasted storm picks up in intensity.

Western Wyoming has been under dry zonal flow for the last 24 hours and has gone over 72 hours without measureable snowfall. This zonal flow will veer to the NW and a shortwave trough will swing through the area beginning this afternoon. The last storm system rolled through on Monday the 13th and was followed by strong northerly winds in the post frontal regime.

Recent avalanches have been confined to small (size 1) wind slabs in the alpine on a variety of aspects. Earlier in the month a layer of buried surface hoar produced some avalanches on sheltered northerly terrain at the middle and upper elevations in the Snake River Range. It is unknown whether or not this layer is still reactive but it seems unlikely and its distribution was spotty to begin with. 

Current snow surfaces have been worked by the wind in exposed terrain. Southerly aspected have been crusted by the sun.

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