Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Light snow has been falling on hard snow surfaces and surface hoar since Saturday. Over a foot of snow has fallen during that time. Moderate west winds have formed very soft surface slabs. These slabs and loose snow sloughs could be triggered today in steep terrain above 8500 feet. Avalanches at the lower elevations are unlikely today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another weak system is to continue the likelihood for periods of light snow on Friday. Similar temperatures and winds are expected. Accumulations will again be light with two to five inches expected by the afternoon. The recipe for hazardous slab development is still lacking due the slow rate of accumulation and relatively light winds. The general avalanche hazard is again expected to be Low in the Tetons and Southwest Trails areas and Moderate in the Togwotee Pass areas. Slightly more then expected precipitation or stronger winds will result in the hazard to raise to Moderate in all areas as the surface slab activity will become more widespread. The distinction between the Togwotee Pass area and the other areas is that in the Togwotee Pass areas a persistent weakness exists in high north facing terrain and hard slabs with depths to three could still be triggered by a backcountry rider or skier.