Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE. Strong west to southwest winds have created new soft slabs two to three feet deep on leeward aspects. These slabs are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. Cautious route finding and good decisions regarding travel in avalanche terrain are essential today.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Heavy snowfall rates of an inch an hour will continue into the late afternoon to early evening hours. The snowfall will decrease but continue though the night. Additional accumulations of six to nine inches are expected by morning. Winds will be west at 20 to 30 miles per hour along the higher ridge crests. Temperatures at 10,000 feet will drop into the low teens by morning.On Thursday skies will be overcast with light snowfall expected to diminish as the day progresses. Summit winds will continue to be westerly at 20 with gusts to 30 miles per hour. Temperatures will rise into the low to mid 20s in the mountains and into the lows 30s in the valleys.The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE above an elevation of 8,000 feet. Soft surface slabs up to three feet in depth could be triggered by humans who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain. Natural avalanche activity is possible. At the lower elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.