Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Seven or more inches of new snow and strong winds have created the potential to trigger slides to two feet in depth on lee slopes near ridgecrests. At lower elevations the snowpack has stabilized with colder overnight temperatures after a considerable amount of wet, loose side activity yesterday. As the day warms the possibility of more slides at low elevations will increase.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will subside this evening with cooling temperatures. Lows at 10,000 feet will be in the mid teens by morning and near twenty at lower elevations. Partly cloudy skies are expected Wednesday with a chance of light snow. Winds will decline from 30 mph tonight to 15 to 20 mph tomorrow. High temperatures in the mountains will be about twenty degrees during the day and the mid thirties at the valley floor. AVALANCHE HAZARD FORECAST FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS, AND SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE at High and Mid elevations due to new pockets of soft slabs on lee exposures. New snow that came in very warm and is rapidly cooling should bond well to the old surfaces but be alert to drifted snow at ridgecrests and cross loaded gullies. At Low elevations the cooling temperatures will stabilize the snow but the heat stored there will keep the potential for wet loose slides as soon as temperatures climb during the day. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.