Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard is MODERATE. Surface slabs to two feet in depth lie on steep, lee slopes near ridgecrests. Avalanches could be triggered by backcountry riders or skiers at high elevations where the newer snow rests on a hard melt-freeze crust formed in early November. The hard crust does not exist at lower elevations where avalanches are unlikely.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Light snow will develop over the mountains tonight into Saturday morning. Clouds will decrease in the afternoon and 9,000 foot temperatures will be in the upper twenties. Light northwest ridgetop winds are forecasted. The General Avalanche Hazard at high elevations is expected to remain MODERATE. Isolated pockets of slab to eighteen inches could be triggered in steep terrain underlain by the old, slick snow crust. In areas without the crust, avalanches are unlikely as the newer snow lies directly on the ground.