Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The general avalanche hazard above an elevation of 7,500 feet hazard is LOW in the morning and will increase to MODERATE in the afternoon. New snow and strong winds will combine to create new soft slabs eight to 16 inches deep on leeward aspects along the highest ridgelines. Humans who venture into steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind-blown snow could trigger pockets of soft slab on slick old snow surfaces. At the lower elevations new snow will begin to accumulate on bare ground and avalancxhes are unlikely.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) A potent storm system is approaching from the west. In the mountains accumulating snowfall is expected to begin overnight and continue through the day. New snowfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches are possible by sunset. In the valleys the precipitation is expected to be in the form of rain showers overnight. As cold air moves into the region, after sunrise, the snow level will descend to the valley elevations. Mountain temperatures will be in the 20’s. Winds will be southwest at 10 to 20 with gusts 25 miles per hour overnight and veer towards the west and increase during the day. The avalanche hazard in all areas with a base of old snow will increase as the day progresses. New soft slabs will form on leeward aspects along the highest ridgelines. These new slabs will increase in extent as the day progresses and could reach depths of 18 inches in some higher elevation avalanche starting zones by the afternoon hours. At the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) the general avalanche hazard is expected rise from LOW to MODERATE as southwest to west winds create pockets of new soft slab 12 to 18 inches deep. At the mid elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW, but will be on the increase. Isolated pockets of new soft slab up to 12 inches deep could form in some steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations where the new snow falls on bare ground.