Deep persistent slabs continue to be a significant hazard. Large, dangerous slides could be triggered by the weight of a single skier or rider but are more sensitive to large triggers like snow machines. Small pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches in depth and loose snow sluffs can also be human triggered in steep avalanche stating zones and steep chutes. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and make conservative terrain choices.
A deeply buried, weak layer of faceted snow persist above a hard crust that was formed in late November. Deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth can still be triggered by the weight of a person on this dangerous layer. The consequences of triggering a deep slab avalanche on this layer are likely to be severe.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will begin to dissipate overnight as dry, northwesterly flow aloft develops ahead of a transitory ridge of high pressure. A few light snow showers could linger over the Tetons on Tuesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid to upper single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will veer to the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.While the likelihood of triggering persistent deep slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught will keep the general avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet at the low end of CONSIDERABLE on Tuesday. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to be able to impact the deeply buried December drought layer, but the weight of a single person could trigger one of these two to five feet deep slabs if a weak, shallow trigger point is encountered. Hanging snowfields and other unsupported slopes are more likely to see avalanche activity and should be avoided. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded gullies and ravines.
