Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1.5–2.5
Weak layers of snow including surface hoar and facets that formed during a month-long dry period in January are buried 2-3 feet below the surface on shaded slopes. Very steep, northerly aspects above 7,500’ are the most dangerous and where we continue to see human triggered avalanches. Triggering an avalanche large enough to bury a person is likely in these locations today. Wind-loaded slopes will produce the largest avalanches, but avalanches are also possible in sheltered terrain. Avalanches involving weak snow from January may break wider than expected and could fail after multiple riders have ridden a slope. Signs of instability including recent avalanches or collapses in the snowpack may not be present before triggering. Avoid traveling below very steep slopes as remote triggering continues to be reported. Give yourself a wide margin of safety around very steep and shaded slopes today.
Most recent persistent slab avalanches have occurred in the Salt River Range.
A large avalanche that was remotely triggered by a rider in the Snake yesterday (2/21). This avalanche failed 2-3 feet deep on weak snow that formed during January.
Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center