Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. A well developed, persistent weak layer of faceted snow lies at the base of the snowpack. In steep terrain, the potential continues for backcountry travelers to trigger deep hard-slab avalanches involving this layer. These dangerous hard slabs could be triggered by a single person, and more likely by heavier loads such as snowmobiles, even after a slope has been crossed multiple times. As the day progresses west winds and new snow will begin to form pockets of new soft surface slab up to a foot deep along the leeward aspects of the highest ridge lines. These surface slabs will form on slick old snow surfaces and will be easily triggered by humans in steep avalanche starting zones.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Limited Pacific moisture in a dirty ridge will continue to bring snow showers to the region. On Thursday skies will be cloudy. An inch or two of new snow could accumulate in the mountains overnight and during the day. Mountain temperatures will be in the teens. Winds will be westerly and increase to 20 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to MODERATE in the Teton and Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide Trails areas and CONSIDERABLE in the Greys River/Southwest Trails area. On steep slopes the potential exists, especially on north and east facing slopes, for humans to trigger pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches deep and deadly full depth hard slab avalanches. Deep hard slabs could be triggered by skiers in all of our forecast areas but are more likely to be triggered by snowmobilers and in the Greys River/Southwest Trails area.