Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE and will increase by evening. Seven inches of new, warmer snow overnight on top of a foot of colder, lighter snow since Friday and strong westerly winds are forming soft slabs up to two feet in depth on leeward avalanche slopes. The weak "warm snow on cold snow" situation and heavy forecasted snowfall will create slabs that are easy to trigger. Old, very dangerous, deep slabs up to five feet in depth also could be started by larger triggers like someone helping another person high marking with a stuck machine.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A major winter storm will move into western Wyoming this evening. Periods of heavy snowfall will develop around midnight and continue into Monday and Monday evening. Snowfall amounts could be 12 to 18 inches by Monday night. Winds will be southwesterly at 25 to 30 mph with gusts in the 40s. Temperatures will rise to near thirty degrees during the day. The Greys River area will see slightly less snow and the Togwotee Pass area will receive about half the Teton totals.AVALANCHE HAZARD FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS / CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND GREYS RIVER / SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The general avalanche hazard Sunday turned out to be more in the Moderate range than CONSIDERABLE as stated due to the lack of slab development. The forecasted snow and significantly warmer temperatures Monday will provide a better opportunity for slab development and the weak "warm over cold" snow layering is a good factor for slope failure. Continuous heavy snowfall through Sunday night into Monday could push the hazard to CONSIDERABLE by morning and rise during the day. Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.