At the higher elevations, backcountry skiers and riders could trigger surface slabs in steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. These slides are most likely to be encountered near upper elevation ridge lines where strong winds have transported recent snowfall onto leeward slopes. Very large persistent deep slabs are still a potential threat in terrain above 9,000 feet that held snow from early October, especially for larger triggers like snow machines. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Steady southwest to west winds have continued to drift snow onto leeward aspects along the higher ridges. Pockets of wind slab one to two feet in depth could be triggered by humans who venture into steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones.
Backcountry travelers might still be able to impact weak, faceted snow near the base of the snowpack on westerly through northerly to easterly aspects above 9,000 feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to cause failure of this basal weak layer, and previous tracks are not an indication of stability. These dangerous and destructive slides could exceed six feet in depth and are likely unsurvivable.
Temperatures will remain cold and skies will be mostly cloudy with periods of light snowfall in the mountains. A couple inches of new light density snow are possible overnight and again on Tuesday. Temperatures will be in the single digits above and below zero in the mountains and may rise into the teens during the day in the valleys. Winds will continue from the west-southwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 8,500 feet and LOW below that elevation. At the higher elevations pockets of wind slab up to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Deep persistent slabs lurk in steep north facing terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If one of these slabs is triggered it will be four to six feet deep. These very large, destructive deep slab avalanches are more likely to be triggered by snowmachines. The potential for deep slab avalanche activity is greater in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas that it is in the Teton area.
