Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The avalanche hazard will increase to CONSIDERABLE at the higher elevations (8,500 to 10,500 feet). New snow and very strong ridgetop westerly winds are creating soft slabs to 18 inches in depth on steep, lee slopes. These slabs are developing on slick or weak old snow surfaces and are likely to be easily triggered by the presence of a single person on a steep slope. Shallow, loose snow sloughs are also likely on steep slopes and banks. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision-making are essential in avalanche terrain today. At elevations, below 8,500 feet the hazard is LOW where people could trigger slides in isolated pockets in steep terrain like ravines.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Clouds will lower and thicken Sunday evening with snow, heavy at times, beginning by late evening. Winds will be westerly overnight with 35 mile per hour averages and stronger gusts. Accumulations of six to ten inches are expected by Monday evening. Mountain temperatures will be in the teens. Rapid accumulations of new snow driven by strong westerly winds will increase the avalanche hazard through the day. The hazard is expected to rise to Considerable. The new snow will fall on crusts and smooth wind-pack on south and north to northeast facing slopes and faceted snow on a variety of aspects. New, building slabs will be easy to trigger by backcountry travelers. With increasing hazard through the storm cycle it will be essential to continuously assess stability.