Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches with depths up to 3 feet are likely in steep, shaded terrain above 7,500’ today. These avalanches may be triggered without warning and break wider than expected. Remotely triggering an avalanche from below steep slopes is possible. Carefully evaluate the snowpack and give steep, consequential terrain a wide margin today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate winds out of the west and southwest within the past 72 hours have redistributed recent snow and formed slabs up to a foot deep in isolated pockets of wind-loaded, upper-elevation terrain. These slabs are becoming difficult to trigger, but may be sensitive to the weight of a rider in some pieces of very steep terrain. Surface slabs could step down to deeper weak layers in very steep, north facing terrain features. If this occurs, avalanches may break deeper and wider than expected.

    Wind speeds are expected to increase today. Although there is little loose snow available for transport, be on the lookout for blowing snow and drifting which would indicate the potential for new slab development.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Weak layers of snow including surface hoar and facets that formed during a month-long dry period in January are buried 2-3 feet below the surface on shaded slopes. Very steep, northerly aspects above 7,500’ are the most dangerous and where we continue to see human triggered avalanches. Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury a person is likely in these locations today. Wind-loaded slopes will produce the largest avalanches, but avalanches are also possible in sheltered terrain. Avalanches involving weak snow from January may break wider than expected and could fail after multiple riders have ridden a slope. Signs of instability including recent avalanches or collapses in the snowpack may not be present before triggering. Avoid traveling below very steep slopes as remote triggering continues to be reported. Give yourself a wide margin of safety around very steep and shaded slopes today.

    Most recent persistent slab avalanches have occurred in the Salt River Range.

    A large avalanche that was remotely triggered by a rider in the Snake on Saturday (2/21). This avalanche failed 2-3 feet deep on weak snow that formed during January. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Today will be a transitional day as a storm approaches on Tuesday. Temperatures look warm, but cloud cover should limit warming of the snow surface today. Still, be on the lookout for signs of warming if the sun comes out for longer than expected. If surface crusts break down and snow becomes wet, then there is some chance for small loose avalanches in steep southerly terrain. Adjust your travel plans accordingly.

Small, recently formed wind slabs exist on loaded features at the highest elevations. Be on the lookout for these slabs and remember that getting caught in a small avalanche in consequential terrain can have a bad outcome.

Avalanches are still being triggered on the January Drought Layer. Recent reports from the Salt River Range indicate that this layer is still quite sensitive to human triggers. The recurring theme with these avalanches seems to be that they are being triggered where facets and surface hoar from the January drought were best preserved. Northerly facing terrain from 7,000’ - 9,500’ that is sheltered from the wind is the bullseye. Digging in the top 2-3 feet of the snowpack can help identify these weak layers, but giving avalanche terrain on the north half of the compass a wide margin is the best way to manage this problem for the time being.

Please consider submitting an observation here if you are out in the mountains today. Recent observations have been excellent and improve our forecasts. Thank you!

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