At the higher elevations west to southwest winds continue to drift available snow onto leeward aspects. Temperatures will be on the increase at all elevations and stayed above freezing at the lower elevations last night. The next storm system will begin to load upper elevation avalanche starting zones during the afternoon and evening hours. Slab avalanches could be triggered by humans at the mid and upper elevations. Wet slides could become a hazard on very steep slopes below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
At the higher elevations slab avalanches up to two feet in depth could be triggered by skiers or riders in steep avalanche starting zones. These slides could be large enough to injure or bury a person.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next storm system will move from the eastern Pacific into western Wyoming on Thursday afternoon and evening. It will bring 6 to 12 inches of heavy snow to the mountains and will bring rain to the valleys. Temperatures will be in the 20s in the mountains and will be mostly above freezing in the valleys until Sunday. Some areas of instability exist in steep upper elevation avalanche starting zones. Dense wind slabs that were formed by strong southwest to west winds are still a potential hazard. These slabs are up to two feet deep and could be triggered by the weight of a person. The general avalanche hazard is forecast to be MODERATE at the higher elevations. The hazard at the lower elevations is expected to be LOW.
