Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE and will increase as temperatures rise above freezing and snow surfaces soften. At the lower elevations rain and warm temperatures have created unstable conditions. Wet slides were observed yesterday and could occur today on steep slopes, road cuts and in active avalanche paths. At the higher elevations humans could trigger slab avalanches up to three feet deep on steep avalanche prone slopes. The sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers will increase as the day progresses.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The southwest flow will continue to bring light snow and rain to the region. Skies will remain cloudy with light snow in the mountains and rain showers in the valleys. New snow accumulations of one to three are expected at the higher elevations on Thursday. Temperatures will continue to be mild with highs 20s and 30s in the mountains and in the 40s in the valleys. Winds will be southwest at 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. At the lower elevations temperatures will remain above freezing and rain showers are expected. Wet slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes. At the highest elevations pockets of soft surface slab up to a foot deep will be sensitive to human triggers in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. In some areas with a shallow snowpack underlain by depth hoar humans may have the potential to trigger slab avalanches up to three feet in depth in steep active avalanche paths.