Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 2–3
Since Wednesday, the Tetons have received 20 to 40 inches of new snow containing 1.5 to 2.5 inches of snow water equivalent. Surface hoar and near surface facets were buried at the beginning of the storm cycle, and skiers and riders are likely to trigger persistent slab avalanches failing on these layers on a variety of aspects and elevations. These slabs are likely to range in depth from 2 to 4 feet at the mid and upper elevations, and they could entrain significant amounts of snow in long, sustained couloirs. With the load that this storm cycle added to the snowpack, avalanche activity might also occur on faceted layers that developed earlier in the season resulting in very large, destructive avalanches. At the lower elevations, slab depths could be up to 2 feet deep. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.