Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE this morning, rising to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. Slab avalanches up to five feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers on steep, snow covered slopes. These dangerous slabs are most likely to be triggered by high marking snow machines, but could be triggered by single skiers on some slopes. Sunshine and warming temperatures will make these slabs more susceptible to failure. The heat will also increase the chances of wet-loose slides on sunlit slopes that could be started by backcountry travelers, falling cornices or sun balls fallng from cliff areas.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) The upper level ridge will continue to dominate the weather through Thursday. Clear skies will allow mountain temperatures to drop to the mid teens Tuesday night then sunshine will raise Wednesday highs to near freezing or above. Thermal inversions will bring morning lows on the valley floors to below zero then rise to the low twenties.Sunlit exposures will again have increasing potential Wednesday for natural or user caused wet-loose slides on steep, sunlit aspects above 8500 feet. The avalanche hazard is expected to start at Low then climb to Moderate as the snow warms. Cool temperatures below 8500 feet will keep the avalanche hazard at Low.