Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Dense surface slabs two to four feet in depth lie upon lighter density snow and buried crusts. These slabs are likely to be easily triggered by the weight of a single person and could release naturally and run long distances. Yesterday two snowmachiners were caught in an avalanche near Togwotee Pass. When a machine is stuck on a slope always let the rider dig out alone. Good terrain evaluation and snow stability assessment skills are necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak weather system will bring light snow to the region Sunday night into early morning Monday with light accumulations. Overcast skies will give way to partly sunny conditions in the afternoon. Morning temperatures will be near ten degrees then warm to the mid 20s. Winds at the ridge tops will be northerly to northwesterly at 15 to 20 miles per hour.The avalanche hazard will be Moderate Monday at mid and upper elevations. Slabs to three feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep areas near corniced ridge lines, chutes and slopes above and below cliff bands. Deeper slabs in similar areas could pull out but will likely require larger triggers such as more than one person on a slope or high-marking snow machines.