Salt River and Wyoming Ranges

A cold front brought very strong winds to the region on Friday and transported available snow onto leeward slopes. These winds were not isolated to the higher elevations, and shallow pockets of wind slab formed in leeward terrain and in unusual locations. Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger these small slabs on steep, wind loaded slopes. Backcountry travelers still have some potential to trigger large persistent slab avalanches. Evaluate the snowpack often, and don’t assume that one snow pit will give you a representative picture of the avalanche hazard. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab in very steep terrain.

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect partly to mostly cloudy skies and occasional snow showers as a weak disturbance tracks across the southern portion of the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Saturday. Be on the lookout for pockets of shallow wind slab in strange places. Skiers and riders still have some potential to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to three feet in depth on faceted snow that developed in November and early December. Evaluate the snowpack often, and take note of how it changes across the landscape. Don’t assume that one snow pit will give you a representative picture of the avalanche hazard. Below 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab in very steep terrain.