Avalanche forecast

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible at the middle and upper elevations today. Steep, rocky, wind affected, and shallow areas are the most likely zones to trigger slabs. You can use tools such as probes and shovels to determine whether or not buried weak layers exist on the slopes you plan to ski or ride. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3

    Buried persistent weak layers exist within the snowpack. On windward slopes these layers are within 2-3 feet of the snow surface. On leeward slopes these buried weak layers could be in excess of 5 feet deep.

    Use you shovel and probe to determine if buried weak layers exists. Pay attention to signs of instability such as audible collapsing of the snowpack.

    (1/5/2023)

    This avalanche was triggered by a rider at Jack Hollow on a southeast aspect at 9,500 feet.  It failed on weak snow in the lower half of the snowpack and was approx. 3 feet thick. 

    Photo: Antonioli

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Variable winds over the last 24 hours have created wind slabs at the upper elevations that are 1-2 feet deep. Slabs could be both soft and hard. Northerly and easterly winds are forecasted for today, causing abnormal loading patterns.

    Moniter the wind direction and pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking within wind drifted snow.

    (1/19/2023) Cornice at summit, this photo is looking NW.

Avalanche Discussion

The southern ranges have picked up a fair amount of low density snow over the last week. Winds have been light but the new snow is readily available for transport. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche where wind slabs lie on top of buried weak layers in steep, shallow, and rocky areas.

 Natural avalanches have been limited to new snow instabilities and wind slabs over the last week. 

Current snow surfaces are made up of low density stellars and near surface facets in many locations. Buried persistent weak layers from late November and early December are buried over 1.5 meters deep on leeward aspects. On wind exposed aspects these layers are much closer to the surface and are reacting in the moderate to hard range in stability tests. 

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