Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Mountain temperatures are starting out around 15 degrees warmer than 5 AM yesterday. The snowpack is mostly stable this morning. As the day warms, very shallow wet loose sluffs involving the recent snowfall above the crusts are likely to develop above 7,500 feet. If sufficient heat and sunshine occur to break down the stout crusts underneath the newest snowfall, the chance for deeper wet slides might reemerge. Take note of how quickly temperatures rise and how the sun affects the top of the snowpack. If the near surface crusts start to become unsupportable, transition to cooler terrain. Most areas below 7,500 feet have insufficient snow depths to produce avalanche activity.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The weak ridge of high pressure will remain over the region into Sunday resulting in dry conditions. Skies will be a mix of sunshine interspersed with cloud cover before skies become overcast Sunday evening ahead of the leading edge of a Pacific weather system. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-20s before climbing to near 40 during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour.With another night of below freezing temperatures at the higher elevations, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW Sunday morning. Aside from some very shallow point slides, the snowpack will likely remain mostly stable throughout the day unless enough heat and sunshine occur to breakdown the near surface crusts. If this happens, the chance for more significant wet slides might reemerge. Most areas below 7,500 feet have insufficient snow depths to produce significant avalanche activity.