At the upper elevations, backcountry travelers venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger pockets of wind slab. As the day warms, these slabs could become more susceptible to failure, and the chance for shallow wet loose slides will also develop. Monitor temperatures and the effect of the sun, and evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully. The snowpack is mostly stable at the mid elevations, and snow depths at the lower elevations are insufficient for avalanche activity.
In high elevation terrain where snowfall persisted from the beginning of the month, recently developed pockets of wind slab lie upon firm crusts. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs to depths of 6 to 18 inches in steep, wind-loaded terrain.
Expect clear skies overnight. During the day, skies will be mostly sunny before cloud cover begins to encroach late in the evening. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper 20s before climbing into the low 40s during the day. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW on Saturday. Daily warming and cooling cycles over the last two days, along with freezing conditions overnight, will result in a mostly stable snowpack across Western Wyoming. LOW hazard does not mean no hazard. Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger an isolated pocket of wind slab failing on the old snow surface. The old snow primarily exists on high elevation slopes without southerly aspects, and is either firm crusts or dry, old snow in the most shaded terrain. As the day warms, these slabs could become more susceptible to failure. Warming temperatures will also bring back the chance for shallow wet loose sluffs on sunlit slopes.
