Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. New surface slabs up to two feet in depth formed by strong southwest to west winds exist on leeward aspects. On Tuesday afternoon a large dangerous slab avalanche was reported to have been triggered in the Strawberry Creek drainage by snowmachines. These surface slabs and larger dangerous deep slabs could be triggered on steep slopes today especially by snowmachines. Helping a friend whose machine is stuck on a steep slope with the potential to avalanche is a leading cause of avalanche fatalities.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A cold front and associated band of snow showers will move over the area tonight and bring more snow to the western Wyoming mountains with higher accumulations expected in the southern areas. The snowfall will slowly diminish during the day on Thursday with several additional inches of accumulation possible. Temperatures will fall overnight and are expected to be in the upper single digits on the summits in the morning and rise into the upper teens by afternoon. Winds will decrease overnight and increase again late Thursday afternoon. AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS/CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER/SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREASThe general avalanche danger is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Thursday. Surface slabs up to two feet in depth are likely to be easily triggered by single skiers in steep wind loaded starting zones. The Strawberry Creek event indicates the potential to trigger DANGERDOUS slabs up to six feet in depth persist. Suspect areas are likely very steep wind loaded slopes and cliff areas that had a shallow faceted snowpack before the end of the year storm cycle began. Snowmachines and groups are most likely to trigger these large dangerous slabs. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.