Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Watch for shallow pockets of unstable snow in isolated, steep upper-elevation terrain exposed to the wind. Avoid steep slopes with areas of slushy snow below 9,000 feet.

Up to 6 inches of snow fell in the last 24 hours above 9,000 feet, favoring the Tetons and Togwotee Pass.  Only a few inches fell in the Snake River, Wyoming, and Salt River Ranges. A few more inches could fall today. Watch for shallow slabs at upper elevations on steep wind-loaded slopes. Light to moderate southwest/west winds have redistributed snow in exposed areas, but buried snow surfaces were relatively warm and textured in most areas, which has helped new snow bond. Surface instabilities will be limited to very steep upper-elevation, wind-loaded terrain, particularly on northerly aspects, where recently buried frozen snow surfaces remained smooth, and could act as a slippery bed surface for new snow to slide on. Avalanches in this terrain will be small but could knock you off your feet above consequential terrain. Look for drifting snow and shooting cracks. 

High pressure and record-breaking March temperatures over the last 15 days have transitioned a cold, dry winter snowpack into a wet, partially frozen springtime snowpack. Yesterday marked only the 3rd day in the last two weeks when mountain temperatures hovered around or below freezing for an appreciable period. Low-elevation terrain has melted out, and southerly middle-elevation slopes are mostly bare. The avalanche hazard rating has been removed from low elevations due to a lack of snow in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges. Cooling temperatures through Saturday will freeze the snowpack, all but eliminating the chance of wet-snow avalanche activity for the time being. Continue to avoid slushy snow today on steep terrain below 8,500’ as the snowpack continues to freeze.