Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard remains MODERATE. Four to six inches of light density snow with accompanying strong Westerly and Southwesterly winds have created sensitive surface slabs up to 12 inches in depth on leeward starting zones near ridge crests. These new slabs are poorly bonded to suncrusts and firm wind pack, and add weight to existing hard slabs up to four feet in depth which overlie well developed weak layers of faceted snow. In addition to the possibility of carrying skiers or riders into terrain traps or over cliff bands, these surface slabs could trigger deeper hard slabs with severe consequences.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )An upper level disturbance is forecasted to impact the region starting Saturday night and into Sunday. Four to six inches of light density snow is expected by Sunday morning along with strong West and Southwest winds ranging from 30 to 50 mph, gusting to 60. Mountain temperatures should drop into the low teens overnight and then only rise slightly during the day on Sunday. The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to remain MODERATE on Sunday. The forecasted light density snow and the accompanying strong winds should form sensitive pockets of surface slab in leeward starting zones near ridge crests. In addition to possibility of carrying skiers or riders into terrain traps or over cliff bands, these small surface slabs could trigger deeper hard slabs with severe consequences.