Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. This morning people who venture into very steep avalanche prone terrain could trigger pockets of soft surface slabs to eighteen inches in depth in the old snow. With forecasted snowfall and winds through the day, easily triggered soft slabs in the new snow will become possible on lee slopes and surface sloughs running on smooth sun crusts should be expected on southerly aspects. Any periods of rain at lower elevations will rapidly increase the possibility of slides in steep road cuts and ravines. A remote potential for large loads to trigger full depth avalanches may persist in isolated areas.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Embedded disturbances in the westerly flow will bring periods of snow late tonight through Monday. Snow will intensify during the day Monday bringing 5 to 12 inches of snow to the peaks. Winds will continue from the southwest and increase to 20 to 25 mile per hour averages with gusts in the 40s by noon. Temperatures will be in the low 20s in the morning and increase to the upper 20s during the day.The general avalanche hazard will be MODERATE Monday morning but rapidly increase to CONSIDERABLE as strong winds and rapid loading occur. Human triggered, then natural sloughs should be expected on areas with slick sun crusts in steep areas. Lee slopes at mid and upper elevations have the potential to rapidly build easily triggered, soft slabs that may become dangerous in size by afternoon. A remote potential for large loads to trigger full depth avalanches may persist in isolated areas.