Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Up to 10 inches of new snow over the past 48 hours with westerly ridgetop winds have developed easily triggered surface slabs to two feet in depth on steep, wind-loaded slopes. Beneath the new snow, large, dangerous slabs lie upon a persistent, weak base of faceted snow. Surface slides and/or backcountry travelers venturing onto steep slopes could trigger these slabs, resulting in serious consequences.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow will continue in the mountains of Western Wyoming Monday night with 2 to 3 inches of accumulation by Tuesday morning. Occasional light snow is forecasted for the day Tuesday then increase as another system arrives by evening. Temperatures will drop to minus 7 degrees Tuesday morning and climb only to 5 degrees above zero during the day. Mountain winds will be westerly with 40 m.p.h. averages and gusts in the 60s.In the Tetons temperatures warmed as the snow fell Sunday creating a weak situation with loose, light-density snow below warmer, dense snow at the surface. The strong winds Tuesday blew the new snow into lee areas making easily triggered or natural avalanches to three feet in depth possible on steep, lee slopes at all elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be High on Tuesday.