Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Areas of unstable snow exist on some steep avalanche terrain. Skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche slopes and cliff areas could trigger soft surface slabs up to three feet deep or deep hard slabs up to six feet deep on a weak layer of faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. Such a deep hard slab was reported to have occurred yesterday afternoon on Lava Mountain in the Togwotee Pass area where the East face slid to the ground. The trigger for this large, destructive slide is currently unknown.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snow is expected to fall late Saturday into Saturday night, bringing light accumulations. High temperatures are expected to be in the twenties during the afternoon at all elevations following overnight inversion temperatures. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain and cliff areas could trigger surface slabs up to three feet in depth. Some potential also remains for larger loads such as snowmachines to trigger deep hard slabs up to six feet in depth in some areas. Caution is advised.