Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. A well developed, persistent, weak layer of faceted snow and depth hoar lies at the base of the snowpack. In steep terrain, the potential continues for backcountry travelers to trigger hard slab avalanches involving this basal layer. These poorly supported slabs could be triggered by a single person, and more likely by heavier loads such as snowmobiles, even after a slope has been crossed many times. Loose snow sluffs and shallow soft slabs near ridge crests involving recently fallen snow could also be triggered in steep terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snow is expected tonight and Saturday. Temperatures are to rise to the mid to upper twenties in the mountains. Winds are to be from the southwest with 15-20 mile per hour averages.The avalanche hazard is to be Moderate in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas and Considerable in the Greys River area where the snowpack remains the most sensitive. Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger hard slab avalanches to the base of the snowpack in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs may fail when a weak spot or trigger point is hit even after a slope has been crossed several times. Larger loads such as snowmobiles or groups of skiers have a greater potential to trigger these weaknesses. The potential to trigger loose snow sluffs and pockets of soft slabs to a foot in depth near ridge crests also exists in steep terrain.