Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard will increase to MODERATE with afternoon snowfall and strong ridgetop winds. Overnight and forecasted wind and snow will create sensitive slabs to a foot in depth on lee slopes near ridgecrests. The new snow rests on slick suncrusts on southern exposures and weak faceted snow on norhterly exposures.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After light snow Tuesday night a strong system will bring increasing winds then moderate snowfall by late Wednesday morning then possibly heavy snowfall in the afternoon and evening. Snowfall amounts up to six inches are possible by by evening. Winds will be strong from the West to Southwest with forty mile per hour averages and gusts to 70. Forecasted snow and high winds will rapidly increase the General Avalanche Hazard through the day to CONSIDERABLE. All aspects have some weak surfaces and/or layers that will make triggering slides hard to predict. This will be the first period this winter when hazard evaluation skills like ski cutting safe slopes, digging snow pits and using good route finding skills will be essential.