Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Areas of unstable snow exist at the upper elevations. Today's strong west winds will drift snow across exposed terrain and increase the load on these instabilities. Backcountry travelers could trigger dense slab avalanches up to two feet deep in steep avalanche prone terrain. These unstable slabs lie upon a persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar sitting on a hard crust. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet where the snow is generally less than a foot deep.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A new weather system will begin approaching the area late in the day on Saturday and bring an increasing chance of snowfall through Sunday evening. This system will favor the Yellowstone Plateau and the northern portion of the Teton Range. Expect increasing clouds on Saturday with light snow developing in the afternoon and increasing in intensity overnight. Temperatures will be the 20s and 30s. Westerly winds will increase as the day progresses.At the upper elevations areas of instability persist and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Some potential remains for humans to trigger dense slab avalanches up to two feet in depth, especially on northerly aspects and in cliff areas. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.