Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Wind drifted snow has formed soft slabs less than a foot deep over the last 48 hours. Increased wind speed 20-30mph of varying direction (W/NW) has loaded leeward and cross-loaded slopes where you can find unstable snow in the upper elevations. Stay alert in alpine terrain especially above the forecast area of 10,500’. Wind slabs may be deeper on isolated terrain. 

  Cornice Falls: Wind throughout the winter has formed cornices on N-NE-E-SE-S aspects in the upper elevations. Give cornices a wide margin of safety and be careful along ridgelines as they can break further back than expected. 

   

  

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1.5–2.5

  Weak layers are persisting in the snowpack beneath hard slabs 3-5 feet deep above 7500’ primarily on the north half of the compass.  These layers are trending dormant and there are a lot of slopes where you can avoid this problem. Triggering an avalanche is most likely on steep slopes with a shallow snowpack where the overlying slab is thin and riders can impact these weak layers. 

  • The most obvious slopes will be rocky and wind affected terrain where thin trigger points exist. 
  • Gain more knowledge of a given slope by probing for snow depths before committing to consequential slopes. Feel for hard snow above weak snow. The weaker layer will be closer to the surface in shallower areas. 
  • Large triggers such as recent cornice falls indicate that these weak layers can still be reactive (see observation from Mary’s Nipple). 

  The Wyoming Range harbors a weaker and shallower snowpack that is easier to impact these weak layers. The Snake and Salt River Ranges hold a deeper snowpack where this is less likely. However, thin areas where weak layers are more reactive can be found across the entire zone.

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Warm temperatures combined with clear skies will decrease stability on southerly aspects by the afternoon. Solar influence on snow surfaces becomes stronger later into the year. Watch for snow surfaces to become wet and easier to penetrate as a sign of wet loose avalanche potential. The snow around rocks and cliffs will warm up earlier in the day.