Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE 8500 feet. Two feet of snowfall and strong westerly winds over the past two days have created easily triggered soft surface slabs to three feet in depth on steep, lee slopes at upper elevations. These slides could also step down to persistent weak layers near the base of the snowpack. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow showers of varying intensity will continue over the region with an additional three to six inches expected by Tuesday morning. Temperatures will cool to near zero degrees at 10,000 feet by morning with only light snow expected during the day Tuesday. Temperatures will warm only a few degrees during the day and winds will be westerly at 10 to 15 miles per hour on the ridge crests. Additional snow and westerly winds will continue to build soft slabs on lee slopes. At mid and upper elevations backcountry users will find easily triggered slabs to 30 inches in depth on lee slopes. There remains the unlikely chance that triggered slides could pull out deeper snow failing on October weak layers involving the majority of the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable.