Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

An AVALANCHE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM TONIGHT. The general avalanche hazard is HIGH today. Large destructive natural avalanches have impacted the highways in Teton County and are likely to have occurred in the Salt River and Snake River Ranges. New snow and strong winds have loaded an unstable snowpack with slick buried slide surfaces. Large dangerous slabs up to four feet in depth are certain to be sensitive to human triggers. Natural avalanches are possible. TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The WINTER STORM WARNING issued by the National Weather Service has been extended to 5 AM on Friday.Heavy snowfall will continue well into the evening as the storm is moving slower than expected. Snowfall intensity is expected to begin to decrease after 9 PM. However light to moderate snowfall is forecast to persist into mid day on Friday. Some locations in the Teton and Salt River Ranges are likely to have storm snowfall accumulations near three feet. Most other areas are generally expected to receive a total of one to two feet of new snow from this storm system.Mountain temperatures are expected to drop back into the single digits. Upper elevation winds will back towards the northwest. Winds speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour are likely along the highest ridge crest.The AVALANCHE WARNING issued by the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has been extended to 11 PM on Friday for the areas that include the Teton, Snake River, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges. In the Teton and Greys River/Southwest Trails areas the general avalanche hazard is expected to be EXTREME on Friday. Large dangerous avalanches are certain to be sensitive to human triggers. Natural releases are likely. All avalanche terrain should be avoided. The general avalanche hazard in the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. In this area slab avalanches up to three feet in depth could be human triggered on steep slopes with new deposits of wind drifted snow.