Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

The General Avalanche Hazard is LOW this morning and will rise to MODERATE by mid day. Clear skies overnight have created crusts but with overnight lows above freezing, crusts will rapidly soften as the sun warms the snow. As the crusts break down wet, loose sloughs will become possible. The potential for wet slab avalanche activity on steep, snow-covered slopes will also increase as the day warms. These slabs could fail on layers of weak, faceted snow that persist within or at the base of the snowpack. Increasing clouds may limit the warming process but any substantial rainfall will rapidly increase the hazard.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will become overcast by Tuesday morning as a weather system from the West Coast approaches the area. The snow level will be near 8500 feet as light snow begins in the afternoon. The snow level will fall to the valley floor Tuesday night. Lows Tuesday morning will be in the mid twenties and highs will rise to the mid thirties. Ridge crest winds will be southwesterly at 15 to 25 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be LOW at all elevations in the early morning hours and will rise to MODERATE as surface crusts break down and the possibility of wet, loose surface slides increases. Timing of the incoming system will determine if the danger rises. Rain at Mid and Low elevations could rapidly increase the hazard.