Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Southwest winds and fifteen inches of new snow in the past 36 hours have developed slabs to two feet in depth on lee slopes that could be easily triggered. Surface sloughs that could develop to dangerous size are possible on all slopes due to weak graupel within the new snow. The size and sensitivity of these slides will increase with additional forecasted snow. Surface slides have the potential to pull out older snow running on weak layers two to three feet deep.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Light snow is forecasted to persist until tapering off near midnight. Around sunrise Wednesday another moist system will bring an additional 10 to 14 inches of snow to the area by Thursday morning. Mountain temperatures will rise to the mid twenties Wednesday after overnight lows in the teens. Winds along the upper elevations will be southwesterly at 25 to 30 M.P.H.New snow and wind will add to the existing snow that rests on smooth sun crusts and contains weak graupel layers. Easily triggered or natural slabs to three feet in depth will be possible and rapidly increasing snow will raise the chance of triggering slides through the day. At low elevations any rain will further weaken the warm snowpack and wet-loose slides will be possible particularly in steep ravines or roadcuts. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable across the mountains of Western Wyoming Wednesday.