Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Above 8000 feet, backcountry travelers could release soft slab avalanches to 18 inches in depth on steep wind loaded slopes. Large triggers such as snow machines also have the potential to trigger hard slabs that step down to depths of four feet in cliff areas, near cornices and on the steep walls of basins. Conservative decision-making and careful routefinding skills are essential today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Partly cloudy skies and light winds are expected on Thursday. Temperatures are to be colder with morning temperatures in the negative single digits at all elevations warming to highs in the low teens. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Thursday. Riders and skiers will have the potential to trigger soft surface slabs to depths of eighteen inches in steep wind loaded avalanche terrain above 8500 feet. At high elevations near cliffs or where the snowpack is shallow, the potential continues for large loads to trigger deeper hard slabs near the base of the snowpack. The deeper instabilities are most prevalent in the Togwotee Pass area and the Southwest Trails area.