Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Winds that have varied greatly in direction have transported and shaped recently fallen snow into surface slabs along high ridge lines, peaks, and cliff areas. These slabs lie upon weak snow layers and hard crusts but are limited in size and distribution given low snowfall amounts. Above 8000 feet isolated pockets of soft slabs could be triggered with depths to ten inches. Below 8000 feet, avalanches are unlikely as little new snow was received on a shallow snowpack. Caution is advised as clear skies and powder has a tendency to lure people into active avalanche paths. Evaluate routes carefully and identify terrain features where wind loading has occurred as even small avalanches can carry severe consequences.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )By morning, summit temperatures are to drop to near zero and winds are to become northeasterly. During the day wind speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour are expected with highs in the teens. Skies are to be partly to mostly clear. The avalanche hazard in the Tetons will be Moderate above 9000 feet where pockets of soft slab with depths to eighteen inches can be triggered in wind loaded terrain features. Below that elevation, isolated pockets of shallow slab could be triggered to 7500 feet. Avalanches are not likely below 7500 feet due to a lack of new snowfall but note that although the snowpack is thin at low elevations, surface hoar over a crust is also prevalent for future loading concerns. Similar conditions exist in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest trails areas, however the rating will be lower due to less snowfall and therefore smaller slab development occurring over the last 24 hours.