Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The avalanche hazard will be increasing today. New snow will be accumulating on unstable and slick old snow surfaces. Loose snow sluffs are likely on steep slopes and in cliff areas. Pockets of new soft slab less than a foot deep may begin to form in upper elevation avalanche starting zones. On steep slopes any new slabs are likely to be quite sensitive to human triggers and could release naturally. The general avalanche hazard will be LOW in the morning and will increase to MODERATE if the upper limits of the forecast snowfall amounts occur or are exceeded.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A developing storm system is forecast to strengthen and dive southeast into the area with snowfall developing overnight. This system could bring three to six inches of new snow to the mountains and one to three inches to the valleys by Wednesday night. Temperatures will be in the teens and winds will be west veering to the north at 5 to 20 miles per hour. The new snow will accumulate on very unstable and slick old snow surfaces. Shallow loose snow sluffs are likely to occur on steep slopes at all elevations. At the upper elevations shallow pockets of new soft slab 6 to 12 inches deep could form in upper elevation avalanche starting zones and are expected to release naturally and be super sensitive to human triggers.The general avalanche hazard at all elevations will increase as the day progresses. It is expected to be LOW in the early morning hours and could rise to MODERATE at the upper elevations if the upper end of the forecasted snowfall amounts occur or are exceeded.