◆ 74 mph wind gusts buffet Mount Coffin in early days of 2020.

Snow and wind has been the story in Southwest Wyoming this week. The Kemmerer and Bridger Valley areas saw impressive wind gusts, but Mount Coffin tallied the highest wind speeds (exceeding 70 mph) as a series of snow storms moved through the region.

The wind and snow elevated the avalanche danger rating across the Bridger-Teton to “considerable” by Tuesday, January 7. Additional snow accumulation this week is expected, according to the National Weather Service.

“Seven days of consistent snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions,” the January 7 avalanche report for the Greys River area states. “In steep, wind loaded terrain, soft slabs could be triggered on all elevations and on many aspects. At the mid and high elevations, the chance to trigger deep, persistent slabs also continues.”

The report cautioned backcountry recreators to “exercise cautious route finding by identifying wind loaded terrain and by evaluating snow pack, particularly in areas where the weak basal snow exists.”
As of Tuesday, January 7 the total snowfall on Commissary Ridge was listed at 169 inches with a current snow depth of 69 inches.

Blind Bull Meadow has a total snowfall of 134 inches with a current snow depth of 54 inches.
The Box Y area has experienced 83 inches in total snowfall this winter with a current snow depth of 42 inches.

For the latest avalanche information and rating, visit jhavalanche.org.