Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Shallow pockets of wind slab avalanches isolated to steep terrain above 9,000 feet continue to be reported. Although small, these slides could have high consequences in exposed terrain or above terrain traps. Warmer temperatures today along with the strong solar radiation of the late February sun may warm slopes and cause snow surfaces to destabilize. The variable snowpack will adjust with this warming temperature trend and backcountry travelers should monitor for changing conditions. In areas like the Palisades that received more snow this week, heightened avalanche conditions may exist.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )More dry weather is on tap for tomorrow. Temperatures will drop into the single digits in the mountains and below zero in the valleys as an inversion builds overnight. The inversion will break down in the afternoon as valleys climb into the low thirties and at 10,000 feet into the mid-twenties. Cloud cover is expected to increase to partly cloudy by the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will be 10 to 20 mph.The snowpack is mostly stable and the general avalanche hazard for all three forecast areas will be Low tomorrow. Avalanche activity will be isolated to small slides on steep terrain. Above 9,000 feet, shallow wind slabs along high ridges could become problematic on slopes with consequences. The intense solar radiation could destabilize the snow’s surfaces and result in small loose snow slides on steep slopes during the warmest periods of the day. Backcountry travelers should monitor for changing conditions with the warming trend that will occur over the next few days.