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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Above 7500 feet, the chance continues for skiers or riders to trigger avalanches involving weak snow layers that were buried in December. As new snow falls, the sensitivity of these slabs will increase and new surface slab hazards will develop this afternoon as heavy snow and wind combine with yesterday’s light snow to create shallow wind slabs at the higher elevations. Avalanches below 7500 feet are unlikely today. Safe travel in these conditions requires careful snowpack and terrain evaluation.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Dangerous deep slab avalanches continue to be a hazard on all aspects above 7500 feet. Failure of these layers could require larger triggers such as groups of people or snow machines, however, failure could still occur by a single person if a particular weak spot on a slope is hit. These slabs could propagate long distances, have depths to four feet and could carry severe consequences to anyone involved.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snowfall is to develop overnight, become moderate Friday morning, and continue through the afternoon and evening. Brief periods of heavy snowfall are possible. Temperatures are to be warmer with mountain highs in the upper twenties. West winds are to have twenty to thirty miles per hour averages. Four to six inches of snow is expected by nightfall. Less snow is expected in the valleys where temperatures could reach the mid thirties.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 7500 feet and low below that elevation. Although the sensitivity has decreased, the chance continues for backcountry enthusiasts to trigger large avalanches involving persistent weak snow layers buried in December. As new snow accumulates throughout the day, the sensitivity of the persistent hazard will increase and new shallow wind slabs will develop along ridge crests and nearby cliff areas.

Regions covered