The general avalanche hazard is HIGH and TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED. New snow and very strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects. Human triggered avalanches are very likely.
Strong west winds have created dense, wind slabs up to two feet in depth on a variety of aspects. These slabs lie upon lighter density snow and slick old snow surfaces. They could release naturally and are likely to be easily triggered by humans.
Surface slabs have the potential to step down to buried layers of weak faceted snow and become full depth avalanches on a variety of aspects with crown depths of two to four feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Steady snowfall will occur overnight as a vigorous, fast moving storm system impacts the region. This scenario is expected to culminate in one last blast of snow and wind around sunrise as a strong Pacific cold front tracks across the area. Additional snow totals by Tuesday morning are expected to be up to ten inches in the Tetons and range from four to seven inches in the other ranges. Valley locations are expected to receive 2 to 5 inches. Tuesday will begin with temperatures in the 20s, heavy snowfall and strong northwest winds that will create areas of blowing snow. Conditions will moderate as the day progresses with decreasing snowfall, slowly clearing skies and diminishing winds. Temperatures at 10,500 feet will fall from 20 to 10 degrees as colder air moves into the region.Strong wind and new snow will create dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanche activity is possible on a variety of aspects at all elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to HIGH in areas with the greatest impacts from this storm system and to CONSIDERABLE in areas with lesser but significant impacts. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
