Bollettino valanghe

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
1 · Debole
Limite del bosco
1 · Debole
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
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In sintesi

Generally stable avalanche conditions will exist today until warming temperatures increase the potential for wet loose avalanches on steep slopes facing the sun in the afternoon. These avalanches will remain small and are most likely around rocks that heat up surrounding snow surfaces. Continue safe travel practices in avalanche terrain as larger persistent slab avalanches are unlikely, but not impossible.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    1.5–2.5

    Weak snow is buried by hard slabs 2-4 feet deep. The odds of triggering a persistent slab avalanche have decreased over time, but there is still a slight chance on isolated terrain features over 35° steep. These terrain features are where the overlying slab is thin and therefore weaker making it easier to impact the buried weak layers. Thin, weak spots known as trigger points usually exist around complex, rocky, and wind-affected slopes with variable snow depths. Choosing terrain that minimizes consequences and remaining vigilant when traveling in avalanche terrain are best management practices. 

    (1/13/2025)

    This photos shows an example of where you can trigger persistent weak layers. 

Avalanche Discussion

Dry, sunny, and stagnant weather has created generally stable avalanche conditions. Wet loose avalanches are expected, but will likely remain small and not widespread enough to warrant an increase in avalanche danger. Temperatures dropped below zero after sunset at our reliable weather stations allowing for refreezing surfaces. Warm temperatures near freezing are expected today with lower wind speed than yesterday. Here is some travel advice to manage wet loose avalanches today.

  • Plan to travel on southerly aspects early and seek shaded cooler aspects in the afternoon. 
  • Strong inversions remain in place and snow surfaces at middle and upper elevations can warm faster than expected. 
  • Although small, these avalanches can knock you off your feet or machine.
  • Use caution on confined features like couloirs or steep gullies where small avalanches can entrain more snow. 
  • Pay attention to the snow surfaces becoming wet as a sign that the snow is becoming more unstable.

The last reported persistent slab avalanche cycle occurred around January 7th. Overtime, this process has made avalanches harder to trigger as the persistent weak layer adjusts to the current load. Stability tests are still showing unstable results despite the lack of recent avalanches. Snow is complex and we can’t always predict what is happening below the snow surface. Snowpack depths vary dramatically in this zone on a regional and smaller slope scale. For this reason, we remain skeptical and have less confidence that there aren’t isolated areas where a persistent slab avalanche could be triggered. The Wyoming Range contains shallower snow depths than the Salt River Range. Areas that contain a shallower and therefore weaker snowpack is where persistent slab avalanches are more of a concern.

Please continue to send us your observations. Thank you!

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