Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE this morning, rising to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. Slab avalanches up to five feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers on steep, snow covered slopes. These dangerous slabs are most likely to be triggered by high marking snow machines, but could be triggered by single skiers on some slopes. Sunshine and warming temperatures will make these slabs more susceptible to failure. The heat will also increase the chances of wet-loose slides on sunlit slopes that could be started by backcountry travelers, falling cornices or sun balls fallng from cliff areas.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Warm air will move into the region as high pressure develops over the region Monday night into Tuesday morning. Temperatures at dawn Tuesday will be near 30 degrees at 10,000 feet. Steep inversions will trap cold air on the valley floors causing morning temperatures below zero. With clear skies the sun will rapidly raise mountain temperatures above freezing while the valleys will slowly warm to the low twenties. As the ridge builds northwest winds will slow to 10 miles per hour along the peaks.Sunlit snow surfaces above 7500 feet will rapidly warm and wet loose slides are likely. Cornices and widespread snow mushrooms on rocks and trees will be subject to collapse providing triggers for avalanches. The avalanche hazard will increase through the day possibly reaching Considerable with forecasted warm temperatures.In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas rapidly warming snow will increase the chance of deeper slides that could run on buried weak snow layers or the ground.