Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind-loaded terrain above 9,000 feet might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow wind slab in leeward terrain near upper elevation ridgelines. Above 7,500 feet, large to very large persistent deep slabs lurk on a variety of aspects. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab in very steep ravines and gullies.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Northwesterly flow aloft will bring the next in a series of Pacific disturbances through the region overnight. After a brief midday lull, a second disturbance will move through in the afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper teens before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above 7,500 feet on Saturday. Skiers and riders could trigger newly and recently developed wind slabs in steep, leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines. These slabs, which are most likely to occur in the Tetons, could range in depth from 6 to 18 inches and fail on sun crusts, density breaks or down to a layer of surface hoar buried on January 19th. Dangerous persistent deep slabs up to five feet in depth lurk on a variety of aspects above 7,500 feet. While large triggers, such as snowmobiles or the release of a wind slab, are more likely to be able to cause failure of these slabs, the weight of a single person could still act as a trigger if a shallow weak zone is encountered. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab in very steep ravines and gullies that are mostly shaded from the sun.