Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The avalanche danger is Low today. Freezing temperatures overnight have stabilized a snowpack that was mostly wet. Wet snow may still be encountered depending on depth of freeze and daytime warming. Near 9,000ft and below on solar aspects, surface snow will soften due to direct sun and temperatures above freezing. Pay close attention to the rate of warming as loose wet sluffs may be encountered on steep slopes. Even a small slide can have large consequences in committing terrain. Above 9,000ft, steep, cold aspects may harbor dry persistent weak layers. Though triggering these layers has become unlikely, it does not mean there is no danger. The weak snow may be buried up to two feet deep, so carefully assess these layers before committing to a slope. Below 9,000ft the persistent weak layers have been heavily influenced by warm temperatures and free water. Triggering this layer is very unlikely. Though the danger is Low, do not get complacent, travel one at a time in avalanche terrain, and ensure your safe zones are truly safe.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Overnight, skies will clear and tomorrow will be mostly clear with passing clouds. Temperatures will drop below freezing tonight at all elevations. Tomorrow temperatures will rise into the high twenties to low thirties between 8,000-9,000 feet. Winds will remain out of the north northwest averaging in the upper teens.The snowpack will stabilize as freezing temperatures lock up the wet snow. As this happens the avalanche danger will reduce to Low across the three forecast areas. Above 9,000ft buried persistent weak layers remain on the colder, northerly half of the compass. The warmup over the last four days has tested these layers with percolating free water. Incoming freezing temperatures will help stabilize these layers making the likelihood of triggering very unlikely. Steep, cold aspects at upper elevations that were not heavily temperature affected may still harbor dry persistent layers. Careful assessment of these layers should be made before committing to a slope. Direct sun and temperatures near freezing will soften surface snow throughout the day. As conditions soften, be aware of loose wet sluffs. These slides are expected to be small but could be dangerous in committing terrain.