Human triggered avalanches are possible on steep avalanche prone slopes and in active slide paths. Soft surface slabs one to two feet in depth could be triggered by skiers or riders at all elevations. Older hard slabs with depths to five feet continue to be a concern, especially for larger triggers like snow machines. Conservative terrain choices are recommended.
Persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack. These layers formed during cold, dry periods and were buried on December 8th and January 5th. The weight of a single person could still cause failure of these weak layers and release an avalanche with a depth of two to five feet. Snowmachines or the release of a surface slab are more likely to trigger one of these events.
Recently formed soft slabs up to two feet in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes. Once triggered these surface slabs could step down and trigger persistent deep slabs.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Winds will veer to the north and east as a storm system passes to the south and heads towards the plains. A wrap around flow associated with the system will bring cold temperatures and brisk northeasterly winds to western Wyoming. Skies will be partly cloudy. Temperatures will be in the single digits. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches are possible on steep avalanche prone slopes and active slide paths. Soft surface slabs one to two feet in depth could be triggered by skiers or riders and deeper hard slabs with depths to five feet are possible especially with larger triggers such as snow machines or groups of people. Conservative terrain choices are recommended.
