Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW this morning and will rise to MODERATE later in the day as fresh snow driven by westerly winds form new soft slabs and add weight to existing weak layers. On steep, leeward slopes, backcountry travelers could trigger these new six to eight inch slabs, which rest upon slick sliding surfaces on many aspects. Higher consequences will result from failure of older layers within the snowpack with slab depths up to 18 inches. These slabs have the potential to sweep people over cliff bands or into shallow, rocky terrain. Below 7,500 feet, new snow has fallen on mostly bare ground and avalanches are unlikely.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A fast moving Pacific storm system is expected to generate three to five inches of new snow overnight and into Monday. Cold air will move into the area behind this storm dropping daytime highs into the teens. Westerly ridgetop winds at 15 to 25 miles per hour will veer northerly as the storm passes.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW Monday morning before rising as new snow loads a suspect snowpack. Isolated pockets, up to 18 inches in depth, could be human triggered at the upper elevations on steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. While relatively small, these slides could sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into shallow, rocky terrain. Caution is advised.