Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Dangerous avalanche conditions lurk above 7,500 feet. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger persistent deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth on a variety of aspects. Backcountry travelers might also be able to trigger a recently developed pocket of shallow soft slab in very steep, leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines. These small slides could step down and release a persistent deep slab below. Don’t let blue skies impair your judgement. Managing your terrain with a conservative approach will continue to be the safest and easiest way to avoid being caught in a large to very large, destructive avalanche. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The northwest to southeast clearing trend will continue overnight and through most of Sunday before cloud cover begins to increase in the evening as the leading edge of the next disturbance begins to move into the area. A few light, scattered flurries could linger into Sunday, particularly in the Southwest Trails forecast zone. Overnight lows in the mountains will dip into the upper single digits before rising into the low teens in the afternoon. Northwesterly to northerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE on Sunday. Conditions will continue to be dangerous as persistent deep slab avalanches remain the primary concern. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these slabs, but the weight of a single person could still release one of these three to five feet deep slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered. In the Teton and Southwest Trails forecast zones, backcountry travelers could also trigger recently developed pockets of shallow wind slab in very steep, leeward terrain near upper elevation ridgelines. These small slabs may pose a greater threat in their ability to trigger a persistent deep slab than bury a person. Managing your terrain with a conservative approach will continue to be the safest and easiest way to avoid being caught in a large to very large, destructive avalanche.