Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Strong southwest to west winds will form the new snow into soft slabs up to one foot in depth in avalanche starting zones. Old snow surfaces comprised of suncrust, windpack and surface hoar have potential to be good sliding surfaces and weak layers for these new surface slabs to fail on. Humans especailly those on larger triggeres such as snowmachines have potential to release these new surface slabs and dangerous old hard slabs up to five feet in depth on very steep avalanche prone slopes. The consequences of triggering a deep slab are likely to be severe.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )An upper level trough moving east over the area is expected to bring 8 to 10 inches of new snow to the western mountains by sunset on Friday. Temperatures are expected to drop to near 10 degrees tonight and rise into the upper teens during the day on the summits and to near 30 degrees in the valleys. Ridgetop winds are forecasted be southwestly to westerly at 19 to 24 MPH with higher gusts.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS / CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER / SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The avalanche danger is expected to be MODERATE as new soft slabs form on leeward aspects. Good sliding surfaces comprised of suncrust and windpack at the upper elevations and suncrust and surface hoar at the mid and lower elevations exist. Human triggred avalanches are possible and are expected to increase in depth and volume as the day progresses. Some potential exists in the Togwotee and Greys River areas for larger deep slabs to be triggered especially by snowmachines. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.