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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Highlights

Avalanche activity was reported yesterday in the Tetons and on Togwotee Pass. On Teton Pass, a skier triggered a small pocket of wind slab on a southerly aspect at an elevation around 9,700 feet. Similar avalanches will be possible today above 9,000 feet on very steep, wind-loaded slopes. Skiers and riders still have the potential to trigger persistent deep slab avalanches above 7,500 feet, particularly when the underlying weak layers from December and January are less than three feet below the snow surface. Below 7,500 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Cornice failure over the last 24 to 48 hours likely triggered a very large persistent deep slab avalanche on the east face of Mount Leidy near Togwotee Pass. This event is a good reminder that these dangerous avalanches remain possible. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or cornice drops, are more likely to be able to impact the buried weak layers of faceted snow. However, the weight of a single skier might be sufficient to trigger one of these dangerous persistent deep slabs if a shallow, weak zone is encountered. These slabs could range in depth from two to five feet and will carry severe consequences to anyone involved.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect cloud cover to increase overnight as the next Pacific shortwave approaches the region. Light snowfall will develop on Saturday and increase in intensity during the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the negative single digits before rising into the upper single digits in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at and increase to 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate above 7,500 feet with persistent deep slab avalanches being the primary concern. While these slabs are becoming harder to trigger, the consequences remain severe. Backcountry travelers might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of recently developed wind slab in very steep, wind-loaded terrain above 9,000 feet. Below 7,500 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely.

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