Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through 11 AM on Tuesday. Strong winds and moderate to heavy snowfall will create new wind slabs forming on dense snow and graupel. In steep, wind-loaded terrain, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs along with deeper wind slabs that formed over the past few days. Weak layers of faceted snow that formed in January can be found deeper in the snowpack, and slab avalanches could initiate on or step down to these layers. Melt/freeze cycles in the valley have helped stabilized the lower elevation snowpack. If valley rain occurs in the afternoon, the chance for wet slides will return. Deep hard slabs might still be a concern on high, north facing terrain. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid terrain that is being rapidly wind-loaded.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning beginning midnight on Sunday through 11 AM on Tuesday. Light snow showers will develop overnight before snowfall intensity increases during the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid teens before rising into the low 20s in the afternoon. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will increase to 30 to 40 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable Monday morning and will increase during the day as high winds and snowfall create new wind slabs. These slabs, which could reach depths of a foot by Monday evening, will form on dense snow and graupel. Weak layers of faceted snow that formed in January are common below these slabs, and avalanches could initiate on or step down to these layers. The chance of triggering full depth avalanches lingers on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast zones.