At the high elevations, wind slabs could be triggered by backcountry skiers and riders today. Very steep terrain should be avoided as varying winds have resulted in the formation of these slabs on multiple aspects. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and avoid features of concern. Below 9000 feet the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanche activity is unlikely.
Wind slabs lie in steep upper elevation avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. These soft slabs could include both new and recent snow and have depths to two feet. These slabs could become more sensitive as they are weakened by warming temperatures and also the potential for additional snowfall.
Snowfall and strong winds will continue overnight and favor the Wyoming, Salt River and Wind River mountains. Snowfall will linger over those areas in the morning as snow shower activity in the mountains decreases and skies begin to clear from the north and west to the east and south. East to northeast winds will continue overnight with average speeds of 20 to 30 and gusts to 40 miles per hour. Temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s overnight and rise into the 20s in the mountains and to near 40 degrees in the valleys.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations and CONSIDERABLE in the areas that were favored by this storm system. Dense wind slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered on a variety of aspects. Those slabs will be larger and more widespread along and on the east side of the Continental Divide and the Wyoming Range and in the Union Pass area. The hazard will be LOW at the lower elevations in the non-favored areas.
