Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The avalanche hazard above for elevations above 9,000 feet will increase to CONSIDERABLE as the day progresses. Strong southwest winds will form new soft slabs on a slick buried melt-freeze crust. As these slabs grow in depth and extent they will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers and spontaneous releaase. Avalanche activity is not likely in areas where these new slabs form on bare ground.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Southwest winds will increase as the next winter storm approaches. Snow is expected to begin Monday morning. Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall are expected during the day and evening. Very strong southwest winds will create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures will rise into the 20's during the day and fall into the teens Monday night.The general avalanche hazard at the upper elevations will be LOW early Monday morning, however strong winds and new snow will RAPIDLY INCREASE the hazard to MODERATE by midday and to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. New soft slabs formed by strong southwest winds will build in upper elevation avalanche starting zones. As these slabs grow in depth and extent on a buired hard melt-freeze crust they will be increasingly sensitive to triggering by humans and could release spontaneously. Avalanche activity is not likely in areas not underlain by this hard slick melt-freeze crust.