Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

Low hazard does not mean no hazard. At the higher elevations, moderate to strong northwesterly ridgetop winds overnight combined with a few inches of new snow to form isolated pockets of shallow wind slab in leeward terrain near ridgelines. Up there, skiers and riders might be able to trigger these slabs to depths of six to ten inches on steep, avalanche-prone slopes. In localized areas, greater amounts of new snow may have fallen, and the depth and volume of these slabs could be higher. If skies are mostly clear in the afternoon, the likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase on sunlit aspects, and the chance for shallow wet loose sluffs involving the new snow will emerge on sun affected slopes. Take note of the amount of new snow, and monitor the extent of daytime warming. The daily morning avalanche nowcasts will conclude on Sunday for the 2016-2017 winter season.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The aforementioned low pressure system will intensify snowfall rates in the mountains this evening. Precipitation will continue overnight before beginning to taper off during the day on Friday. Snow levels will start off between 8,000 and 8,500 feet before reaching near the valley floor by the early morning hours. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the upper 20s in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Depending on the amount of snowfall overnight, the general avalanche hazard could rise to MODERATE in the mountains on Friday. At the higher elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger pockets of newly developed shallow wind slab in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain. If skies are mostly sunny in the afternoon, the chance for wet slides involving the new snow could develop.