Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Soft surface slabs up to 20 inches deep and loose snow sloughs could be triggered on steep slopes. At higher elevations new snow and strong winds will be building the depths and sensitivity of slabs through the day. Identify these areas of concern and avoid them. Older hard slabs up to three feet deep lie upon a persistent weak base of depth hoar. Some potential may remain for people, especially those on snowmachines, to trigger a deep hard slab in very steep avalanche starting zones.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Snow will increase across the mountains of western Wyoming Monday night into Tuesday. Westerly winds with 25 mile per hour averages are expected overnight then increase to 35 miles per hour with stronger gusts during the day Tuesday. Temperatures at 9,500 feet will drop to 10 degrees by Tuesday morning then warm to the mid 20s during the day. Up to a foot of new snow is forecasted by late Tuesday afternoon in the Tetons and up to seven inches in other mountain areas.The combination of ample existing light density snow easily moved by strong winds, moderate to heavy new snowfall and weak sliding surfaces will make for a rapidly increasing chance for human triggered and naturally releasing avalanches. Slab depths will quickly increase past three feet during the day. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. Travel in avalanche terrain will become increasingly hazardous through the day.