Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW. Strong southwest to west winds will begin to create shallow pockets of new soft surface slab on the leeward side of exposed ridgelines. Backcountry users could trigger these developing slabs in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and have some potential to trigger older dense slabs up to 18 inches deep on very steep northerly aspects above 8,500 feet.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A developing storm system will move into western Wyoming after midnight producing snowfall through Thursday morning. Snowfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches in the mountains and 1 to 3 inches in the valleys are possible. The snowfall will taper off in the afternoon as this quick moving system heads east. Gusty southwest winds are expected to become westerly as colder air moves in behind a passing cold front.The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase but remain LOW as gusty southwest to west winds form shallow new pockets of soft slab on leeward aspects. Backcountry users could trigger these fresh new slabs in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and have some potential to trigger older dense slabs up to 18 inches deep that lie upon a buried crust on steep northerly aspects above 8,500 feet.