Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. A well developed, persistent weak layer of faceted snow and depth hoar lies at the base of the snowpack. In steep terrain, the potential continues for backcountry travelers to trigger hard slab avalanches involving this basal layer. These poorly supported slabs could be triggered by a single person, and more likely by heavier loads such as snowmobiles, even after a slope has been crossed many times. On Saturday, a snowmobiler was killed after triggering a deep hard slab avalanche on a south facing slope around 9,000 feet near Squaw Creek. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim. Loose snow sluffs and shallow soft slabs involving recently fallen snow could also be triggered in steep terrain. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Temperatures will continue to cool with overnight lows in the mountains in the single digits. Mondays high will be in the upper teens. Skies will be mostly clear and ridgetop winds will continue to range from 5 to 15 miles per hour out of the northeast.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas, and CONSIDERABLE in the Greys River area where the snowpack remains more sensitive. In steep avalanche terrain, the possibility persists for backcountry riders and skiers to trigger hard slab avalanches to the base of the snowpack. These slabs may fail after a slope has been crossed several times if a shallow weak zone is encountered. Larger loads, such as snowmobiles or groups of skiers, have a greater potential to cause failure of these weaknesses. In steep terrain, loose snow sluffs and pockets of soft slabs to a foot in depth could also be triggered. These slides will become more susceptible to failure as the day warms.