Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The snowpack is mostly stable, and avalanche hazards will be limited to small slab avalanches and loose snow sluffing in very steep avalanche terrain above 9,000 feet. Yesterday, northwesterly winds increased and may have formed small wind slabs up to 6 inches in depth at the upper elevations on leeward slopes. Humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas could trigger isolated pockets of slab avalanches and loose snow slides. These hazards will become more reactive to triggers due to solar impact and during the warmest portions of the day. Below 9,000 feet, small wet loose slides on steep avalanche terrain will be possible in the afternoon. Small slides can be very dangerous if triggered in serious terrain like steep couloirs, over cliffs, and above terrain traps. Backcountry travelers should monitor the daily warming and avoid steep terrain as the snow surfaces transition from dry to damp.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A ridge of high pressure will bring dry weather and mostly sunny skies to the forecast area tomorrow through Sunday. Northwesterly to westerly winds are expected to be 15 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures will warm into the upper 20s and low 30s and valleys into the upper 30s and low 40s. In the Grey’s River and Togwotee Pass forecast areas, the avalanche hazard will be Low. Skiers and riders could trigger small pockets of wind slab and loose snow sluff on steep terrain at the upper elevations, and in the afternoon, small wet loose slides will be possible. In the Teton forecast area, the avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. Increased wind speeds overnight and into tomorrow will transport snow and form small wind slabs. On steep avalanche terrain at the mid and upper elevations, it will be possible for a person to trigger these slabs with depths up to 12 inches as well as loose snow slides. In the afternoon and on slopes in direct sunlight, the solar input and warming temperatures will increase the potential for triggering small avalanches. The warming temperatures could also result in natural small loose slides on steep solar aspects.