Ten to twenty inches of new snow with over an inch and a half of moisture has fallen at the higher elevations since Sunday. Strong winds accompanied that snowfall and have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Large soft slab avalanches up to thirty inches in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes. Some potential persist in isolated areas for deeper hard slabs to fail to the ground. Natural avalanche activity is possible. Expert terrain evaluation and route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
South-southwest to west winds have created soft surface slab. These slabs lie upon crusts and firm old snow surfaces and are likely to be easily triggered by humans. These slides could have crown depths to two feet could release naturally.
Weak snow persists near the ground. In isolated areas, skiers and riders might be able to trigger dangerous hard slabs with depths to 40 inches failing on this weak layer. This basal weakness is limited in distribution and is most likely to be found along the east slope of the Wyoming Range.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A prolonged period of decent snowfall is expected to continue through Tuesday evening. Five to ten inches of lighter density snow may accumulate in favored areas during this period. Winds will be southwest to west at 20 to 40 with gusts to 55 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and in the upper teens to low 30s in the valleys. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations. Dense wind slabs one to three feet in depth could be easily triggered by humans in steep avalanche starting zones. Natural avalanches are possible. Expert terrain evaluation skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Avalanches are expected to be unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet where the hazard will be LOW.
