Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Above freezing temperatures and rain have created unstable conditions at the lower elevations. Wet slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes. Steep banks, road cuts and active avalanches paths should be avoided. A sustained period of heavy rain could further elevate the hazard and spontaneously release wet slides. In higher elevations were significant warming occurs humans may be able to trigger slab avalanches up to three feet deep on steep slopes.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next storm system will move into the region overnight. Snow is expected to develop at the higher elevations and become heavy later tonight and into the morning hours. Rain will fall at the lower elevations. At the mid elevations the precipitation will begin as rain and should change over to snow by morning. This precipitation will be accompanied by southwest winds at 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour. On Wednesday skies will be cloudy with periods of heavy snowfall at the upper elevations and a mix of rain and snow at the mid elevations. Periods of rain are likely at the lower elevations. Temperatures will be in the upper 20s and 30s in the mountains and in the 30s and 40s in the valleys. Winds will be southwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. At the mid and upper elevations the strong winds and new snow will create pockets of new slab that will gain depth and volume as the day progresses. These slabs may reach depths of one to two feet on leeward aspects by the end of the day. These new surface slabs cloud be triggered by humans in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. At the lower elevations wet loose and wet slab avalanches should be expected on steep snow covered slopes. Sustained periods of heavy rain could increase the hazard to CONSIDERABLE and would likely produce significant wet snow avalanches that could impact roadways.