Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE above an elevation of 8,500 feet and LOW below. Soft slabs to eighteen inches in depth formed by yesterday's snow and strong winds could be user triggered on steep, avalanche prone terrain, particularly near ridge crests and below cliff areas. Dangerous slides were user triggered on south and east facing slopes on Glory Peak in the Tetons yesterday. Use conservative decision making, careful route finding and good travel habits. Periods of sunshine will make slabs more sensitive to triggering and increase the chance of sloughs from cliff areas.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be partly cloudy Wednesday with mountain temperatures climbing from below zero in the morning to the high teens during the day. Winds will be southwesterly at 10 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable Wednesday in the Tetons and Greys River areas and Moderate in the Continental Divide area. Soft to firm slabs to two feet in depth are poorly bonded to density changes in the recent light density snow. These slabs could be easily triggered by backcountry travelers on avalanche prone slopes above 8500 feet. Slides on slopes with sun crusts below the newer snow are likely to step down to those crusts. Sunshine and warming temperatures will make slabs easier to trigger and increase the chances of naturally releasing slides and/or sloughs.