Bollettino valanghe

Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Tue
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
Open full map
Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

A continuing storm will bring several inches of new snow and strong winds. Wind drifts are likely to form at upper elevations, becoming larger as the day progresses. There's a good chance your weight could trigger one of these surface slabs, and loose snow on steep slopes at lower elevations should also remain on your radar in areas receiving rainfall today. The possibility remains of triggering a large avalanche on weaker snow buried in the snowpack—be prepared to scale back your terrain choices.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Overnight, 5-7 inches of new snow fell above 7,500', accompanied by strong southerly winds. Returning to Avalanches 101: new snow + wind = wind slab avalanches. Wind drifts will build through the day along higher elevation ridges and in open terrain—by the afternoon, these wind slabs could be 12 or more inches thick. While these fresh wind drifts might not be that big today, they may be extra touchy and easily triggered by your weight. 

    ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

    Steep low-elevation terrain below 7,500' (road cuts, etc.) will likely experience some wet loose activity in areas where more precipitation in the form of rain is seen. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1.5–3

    Slabs overlying weak layers buried 2-3 feet deep remain possible to trigger on very steep slopes over 35°. Signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanches may not be present before triggering a large, dangerous avalanche capable of propagating far across or upslope. Multiple tracks on a slope do not indicate that a slope is stable. Stick to lower consequence terrain away from terrain traps and rocky, convex, steep slopes today.

     

    (2/20/2025)

    This photo depicts one specific type of terrain where the persistent slab problem is relevant. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

The Thorn (bad news). Over the next few days, active weather will continue to gradually stress any weaker snow in the snowpack, with rain falling where the snowpack is shallowest and weakest [at low elevations]. These slopes should remain on your radar, in addition to the larger, deeper problems that linger. The likelihood of triggering a larger avalanche increases as the slope angles increase and when significant triggers (groups, multiple snowmobiles, cornices) hit thin spots in the slab. Thin spots exist on the boundaries of terrain that have been impacted by the wind and are more problematic when the snowpack connects to thicker slabs within that same terrain. In periods of improving stability, it remains important to follow safe travel practices despite a lack of general avalanche activity. Travel one at a time in steep terrain, avoid stopping in the runout of avalanche paths, and communicate with your partners throughout the day. Today, it will also be possible to encounter recent snowfall sluffing from steep terrain and wind slabs ~1 foot in depth in exposed terrain. 

The Rose (good news). This past month has slowly increased the snow depth across the board, and time has helped weaker snow adjust to the weight of the slab on top of it. There's been plenty of good riding to be had. After the initial effects of this storm,  surface instabilities within the new snowfall will likely taper off quickly until the skies clear.  Over time, as we transition to spring, warmer temperatures promote the strengthening of snowpack layers provided it is refreezing overnight, which could provide a better trend in stability moving towards spring. 

Regioni coperte