Bulletin d’avalanche

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Fri
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré last year. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

The avalanche hazard will rise as the day warms. Above-freezing overnight temperatures combined with strong solar input will destabilize many slopes throughout the day, making human-triggered wet avalanches likely and natural wet activity possible. Avoid being on or under steep, sunny slopes once the snow surface becomes wet and unsupportable. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    A mixture of dry snow with facets and crusts remains in the top portion of the snowpack on many middle and upper-elevation aspects. These avalanches will not be widespread but are most likely at middle and upper elevations, where meltwater reaches these weak snow/crust sandwiches. This recipe is most prominent above 8000' on slopes facing E-NE-N-NW. Very warm temperatures and sunshine pushed meltwater deep into the snowpack. Last night's temperatures remained above freezing, allowing meltwater production to continue. The potential for large wet slab avalanches will remain until the snowpack fully drains or refreezes.

    This problem is hard to predict and not easily managed. Your best bet is to avoid traveling in large start zones that have wet snow or avoid terrain around rocky outcrops that may cause additional heating and water movement. 

    (3/25/2025)

    A large natural wind slab yesterday that was most likely cornice-triggered.

    Old wind slabs will have increased sensitivity during peak warming, increasing the likelihood of natural and human triggering.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    Several consecutive days of warm, sunny weather and the warmest overnight temperatures we have experienced have made wet avalanches a legitimate concern. This includes wet loose and wet slab avalanches or a combination of both. Melt water works through the snowpack, destabilizing buried weak layers and lubricating sliding surfaces. Wet loose activity is likely on steep, shaded slopes that have recently become wet, as well as steep slopes that directly face the sun, where the process of snowpack breakdown has already been occurring. Carefully evaluate the snowpack as it becomes wet and unsupportable. This transition will happen fast today, and though many of these may be small avalanches, it is also important to consider the terrain above you. Consider exiting the mountains if you are sinking into wet, slushy snow.

    Cornice Fall: Continued warm, sunny weather destabilizes the large cornices built over the season. It is possible to trigger failure by stepping out onto these features, or they may fail naturally. A big cornice fall has the potential to trigger a larger avalanche.

    (3/25/2025)  This photo of North Powder Peak (9,520') in the Snake River Range was taken about 11am yesterday. We observed natural wet loose slides occur on these slopes even after the sun left the looker's left face, likely due to the shape of the cirque and reflected heat. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

As of this morning, temperatures at the middle and upper elevations of the Snake, Salt, and Wyoming Ranges have not dropped below freezing for the past 24 hours. Clear skies overnight have likely allowed for a weak, surficial refreeze. This crust will be thin and break down quickly as soon as the sun rises. A variety of wet avalanche problems will be on the table once snow surfaces become wet and unsupportable. Be prepared to change your plans or head home sooner than expected today, given the warm conditions. Terrain selection will be important today. Lingering below steep, sunny slopes this afternoon is not recommended. 

Tomorrow's Outlook: Temperatures will cool off slightly later today, with increasing cloud cover as a weak storm approaches. These conditions should decrease the potential for wet avalanche activity. 

Closed ski areas are reverting to wild snow conditions, and natural avalanches large enough to bury a person can occur there.  Warmth and sunshine can cause avalanche problems, even on previously groomed and heavily compacted slopes. Read the forecast, but remember that the snowpack will differ at closed ski areas. 

If you see avalanche activity today, please consider submitting an observation HERE. Observations allow everyone to gain a better and more complete understanding of conditions. Thanks!

Régions couvertes