Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE this morning and will rapidly increase to HIGH this afternoon. In the morning avalanche activity will be limited to isolated pockets of surface slabs to eighteen inches in depth on steep, shaded high elevation slopes. In the afternoon sunlight and rapid warming will make these slabs more sensitive but will also dramitcally weaken the snow surface and provide the liklihood for wet loose and wet slab avalanches on all other steep avalanche slopes.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mostly clear skies are expected, with light winds, and high temperatures in the upper twenties at high elevations and upper thirties in the valley.AVALANCHE HAZARD FORECAST FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS, AND SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The general avalanche hazard will be Low at low and mid elevations and Moderate at high elevations in the morning. This hazard will increase in the afternoon to potentially HIGH at low and mid elevations and CONSIDERABLE at the high elevations. All aspects and elevations will have a crust formed from overnight lows in the morning except for shaded slopes at high elevations. In the morning these shaded areas will contain the primary hazard where pockets of surface slabs to eighteen inches could be triggered on steep wind loaded slopes. In the afternoon, however, these areas will be the least concern as warming makes wet loose and wet slab likely at all elevations with particular concern being at mid elevations(where the bulk of the recent snow lies) and the lowest elevations wet loose activity is expected to run to the ground.Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.