Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE today. Dangerous conditions exist. Soft surface slabs will increase in depth and extent as the day progresses. These slabs lie upon a weak layer of buried surface hoar and a snowpack with a well developed persistant weak layer at its base. Naturally triggered avalanches are possible, soft surface slabs to three feet in depth will be easily triggered and killer deep hard slabs to the ground could be triggered by humans who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Clouds and winds will be on the increase Friday night ahead of the next approaching storm system. Snow is expected during the period of Saturday morning till midnight. About 3 to 6 inches of new snow is expected in the mountains with 1 to 3 inches in the valleys. Mountain temperatures will remain in the single digits. Winds will be west to south-westerly at 40 to 50 with gusts to near 70 miles per hour. With new snow and strong winds in the forecast the general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EXIST. Surface slabs up to two feet in depth will be easily triggered on steep wind loaded aspects and deep slab instabilities persist especially in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass and Greys River/Southwest Trails areas. New snow and wind will combine to load an unstable snowpack. Deep dangerous slab avalanches to the ground are possible.