Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Above 9,000 feet, the chance persists for backcountry travelers to trigger small to large pockets of wind slab in very steep, wind loaded terrain. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and don’t let the weekend and blue skies cloud your judgement. Conditions are likely to be different above 10,500 feet, and a heightened sense of awareness is warranted. Shallow wet loose sluffs will also become possible on steep, sunlit aspects as the day warms. The likelihood of avalanche activity below 9,000 feet quickly diminishes as the snowpack transitions to mostly bare ground at the valley floor.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect clear skies on Saturday as high pressure remains entrenched over the region. In the mountains, overnight lows will be in the low 20s before rising to near freezing during the heat of the day. Temperature inversions will again strengthen overnight will valley lows in the low single digits. Northerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will decrease to 10 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above 9,000 feet on Saturday. Strong northwesterly ridgetop winds, particularly in the Tetons, have transported available snow and formed pockets of wind slab in leeward terrain near upper elevation ridgelines. These slabs rest above small grains of faceted snow and stout crusts from the end of November. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs in very steep, wind loaded terrain to depths of one to two feet. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and don’t let the weekend and blue skies cloud your judgement. Conditions are likely to be different above 10,500 feet, and a heightened sense of awareness should be utilized. Shallow wet loose sluffs will also become possible on steep, sunlit aspects as the day warms. The chance for avalanche activity below 9,000 feet quickly diminishes as a mid-winter snowpack transitions to mostly bare ground at the valley floors.