Very strong winds, heavy snowfall and increasing temperatures are combining to create dangerous avalanche conditions. Yesterday a snowmobiler was completely buried by a slab avalanche near Ski Lake. He was rescued by companions. Several other close calls involving skiers or riders have occurred during the past two days. The hazard will rapidly increase during the day. A avalanche warning has been issued for our region for the period of 1 PM today to 1 PM tomorrow. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period.
Winds slabs with depths to three feet created by northwest to southwest winds are very likely to be triggered by humans today and are likely to release naturally. These slabs will increase in size and volume as the day progresses and will be significantly larger than they have been during the previous two days.
Persistent layers of faceted snow lie in the snowpack. Rapid loading and warming temperatures will increase the potential for large dangerous slabs three to five feet in depth to be human triggered or release naturally.
Periods of heavy snowfall and very strong west to southwest winds with gusts over 60 miles per hour are expected overnight. New snow accumulations of six to nine inches are possible in the mountains by daybreak. Morning temperatures will drop to near ten degrees at the higher elevations and into the 20s in the valleys. On Sunday skies will be cloudy with continued snowfall and daytime accumulations of two to four inches. Winds will be westerly at 30 to 40 miles per hour with higher gusts especially during the morning hours.An avalanche warning remains in effect for the mountainous regions of western Wyoming. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH. The new snow and strong winds will combine to create dangerous avalanche conditions. Wind slabs up to three feet in depth are very likely to be triggered by humans in steep wind loaded avalanche paths and natural avalanche activity is likely. Deeper persistent slabs three to five feet in depth could also be human triggered or release naturally. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
