The possibility continues for skiers or riders to trigger slab avalanches above 8500 feet. Although weak persistent layers near the base of the snowpack have become less sensitive due to lack of recent snowfall, they could still fail on some steep slopes. Conservative terrain choices are the safest way to manage this situation involving persistent slabs where the determination of which slopes remain unstable is very difficult. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8500 feet.
Humans could trigger persistent slab avalanches 2 to 4 feet in depth. These slabs are most likely to be triggered on northwest to northeast aspects and by larger triggers like snowmachines or groups of people. Previous tracks on a slope may not be an indication of stability.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A pattern shift will occur on Tuesday. Skies will be partly cloudy in the early morning with increasing clouds as the day progresses. By midnight, the oncoming and anticipated storm will bring snowfall to western Wyoming. Temperatures inversions are expected in the morning with upper elevations starting in the single digits while valleys drop again to near ten below. As clouds move in, the inversion will break down with highs In the upper teens expected at the higher elevations where temperatures are to reach the upper teens. West winds are to increase in the evening after a day of five to fifteen mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 8000 where the chance continues for human triggered avalanches in steep terrain that is underlain by the deep basal facets. Although the likelihood of triggering such an event continues to slowly decrease, one person could still initiate a large slide, even on a tracked slope. Avalanches below 8000 feet are unlikely.
