Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Areas of unstable snow exist at the upper elevations. Today's strong west winds will drift snow across exposed terrain and increase the load on these instabilities. Backcountry travelers could trigger dense slab avalanches up to two feet deep in steep avalanche prone terrain. These unstable slabs lie upon a persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar sitting on a hard crust. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet where the snow is generally less than a foot deep.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A significant weather system will bring moderate to heavy snow to the mountains of western Wyoming through Sunday afternoon with the Tetons expected to receive 12 inches or more. The Southwest Trails/Greys River area and Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area will be less favored with five to six inches of accumulation expected. Ridge top winds will be westerly in the 20s with stronger gusts. Temperatures will remain in the twenties into Sunday morning then cool to the teens by Sunday evening.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate and will increase with forecasted snowfall. New snow will be easily drifted to lee slopes creating sensitive soft slabs that will build to dangerous depths. The new snow will increase the chance for people to trigger deeper, persistent slabs to two feet in depth on northerly aspects above 8500 feet. The hazard will be Low at elevations below 8500 feet where avalanches are unlikely.