Bollettino valanghe

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
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In sintesi

A combination of problems will create dangerous avalanche conditions across all elevations today. Human-triggered avalanches are most likely on slopes where winds have formed drifts and snow loads are stressing weak snow. You can still trigger an avalanche in sheltered terrain on weak layers buried within the snowpack. These avalanches can be triggered remotely - from above, below, or adjacent to slopes over 30°. Warming temperatures and rain may create wet snow avalanches at lower elevations. Pay close attention to conditions today. Use caution and stick to slopes <30° to avoid these problems. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    The Salt and Wyoming Ranges have received up to 20 inches of new snow and sustained west/southwest winds over the last 48 hours. These conditions have created wind slabs near ridgelines and on leeward slopes at upper elevations. Expect to find these slabs at middle elevations on northeast through southeast terrain. Slab depths will be the largest and most consequential in upper elevations. These avalanches could step down into buried weak layers creating larger avalanches. Watch for obvious signs of instability cracking or collapsing. Avoid areas where winds have created drifts, pillows, or textured snow surfaces. 

    (12/28/2024)

    Look for signs of unstable new snow such as cracking surfaces seen here. 

    Photo: John Fitzgerald

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2.5

    Weak layers of faceted snow buried 2-4’ deep have been stressed with recent new snow loads. You are most likely to trigger a large avalanche where the snowpack is thinner - especially near wind-scoured slopes or rocky outcrops. A large persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered four days ago on a slope with a shallow snowpack in the adjacent Snake River Range zone near Indian Creek resulting in two full burials. Watch out for slopes over 30° with similar characteristics that are rocky, shallow, and wind-affected on SW-N-SE aspects above 7500’. Persistent slabs can behave in unpredictable ways and warming temperatures can increase their sensitivity. Multiple tracks on slopes do not indicate stability and avalanches could be triggered remotely from gentle terrain (<30°) above, below, or to the side of steep slopes. 

    (12/31/2024)

    Crown of the large remotely triggered persistent slab avalanche in Indian Creek

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Today's warmer temperatures and potential rain will create the possibility of wet loose snow avalanches up to 8000' on all aspects. The lower elevations of the Salt and Wyoming Ranges have received up to 16 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours, which can quickly become unstable when exposed to rapid warming or rain on snow events. It's not completely clear how the weather will affect the new snow today. If you find heavy wet snow,  see evidence of natural wet snow avalanches, or experience a change from snow to rain - move away from slopes steeper than 30°. Even a small wet snow avalanche can carry a lot of force. Use caution near terrain traps such as gullies, cliffbands, and creek beds. 

    An example of a wet loose avalanche from the 23-24 season. 

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Salt and Wyoming Ranges currently. Recent weather has created multiple avalanche problems varying by elevation. Starting from the top, these ranges have received large amounts of snow and wind over the past 48 hours. This will create the possibility of wind slabs at upper elevations on all aspects. Persistent weak layers are also present at these upper elevations but are buried fairly deep under the new snow. New snow loads and wind transport have kept a constant strain on these layers. It may be difficult for a human to trigger these layers, but a small wind slab avalanche could potentially trigger a larger avalanche unexpectedly.

Moving to the middle elevation band, wind slabs may be found on leeward terrain (NW - NE - SE). Slabs formed by wind may be smaller at these elevations but are still dangerous. The snowpack is also generally thinner here, meaning it is easier to impact any buried persistent weak layers. You may be able to trigger a persistent slab avalanche on sheltered slopes. These avalanches could be triggered remotely. It's currently unclear exactly how the snowpack is behaving under these new snowloads at this elevation. On the lower end of these elevations, we are expecting warm temperatures, and possibly some rain. This will create the chance of wet snow avalanches. Pay close attention to the new snow, and see if it's becoming wet and heavy. 

At the lower elevations, warm temperatures and rain may impact the new snow. This new unconsolidated snow will quickly become wet if exposed to rain and could create wet snow avalanches. With a large amount of new snow at this elevation, these avalanches could quickly grow in size. Wet avalanches can pack a large punch. Use caution around areas where they could sweep you into creek beds, over cliffs, or into trees. If you find snow becoming heavy, large snow clumps falling from trees, or encounter a transition from snow to rain, be on the lookout for wet avalanches and stay away from slopes over 30 degrees. 

There are several avalanche problems to handle today, and moving through different elevation bands will bring on new problems. Remember you will most likely need to travel through low elevations at the end of the day when temperatures are warmest. The easiest way to avoid avalanches is to stay off and away from slopes over 30 degrees. If you have doubts about how the snowpack will behave, today would be a good day to step back. 

Please submit any observations you have to our website or text an observation to 307-264-3050!

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