Recent snowfall has favored eastern and southern portions of the forecast area. During the past two days favored locations have received 12 to 18 inches of new snow. Most other locations have received 4 to 8 inches of new snow during the same period. The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE in steep terrain in those favored areas and MODERATE in the remaining terrain. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and avoid features of concern.
Dense wind slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain on a variety of aspects. These slabs are made up of both new and recent snowfall and lie upon crusts and areas of buried surface hoar. These slabs could be triggered by riders and skiers with depths that vary from one to three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall and strong winds will continue overnight and favor the Wyoming, Salt River and Wind River mountains. Snowfall will linger over those areas in the morning as snow shower activity in the mountains decreases and skies begin to clear from the north and west to the east and south. East to northeast winds will continue overnight with average speeds of 20 to 30 and gusts to 40 miles per hour. Temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s overnight and rise into the 20s in the mountains and to near 40 degrees in the valleys.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations and CONSIDERABLE in the areas that were favored by this storm system. Dense wind slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered on a variety of aspects. Those slabs will be larger and more widespread along and on the east side of the Continental Divide and the Wyoming Range and in the Union Pass area. The hazard will be LOW at the lower elevations in the non-favored areas.
