A mild westerly flow continues to bring Pacific moisture into the region. At the mid and upper elevations strong west winds continue to transport available snow into avalanche starting zones. Yesterday some skiers on the east side of Togwotee Pass remotely triggered a large slab avalanche with a seven-foot-deep crown on a steep slope where snow from the recent extended storm cycle failed upon a base of faceted snow. We are in a waiting period, less than 48 hours after a cycle of natural avalanche activity that included multiple Class-V avalanches. This scenario demands respect and a conservative approach. Large human triggered avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects.
Dense surface slabs formed by west winds with depths of one to three feet could be human triggered in steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs could step down to deeper layers of weak faceted snow in areas with poor snowpack structure.
Buried layers of weak snow persist at all elevations. Slabs that lie upon these weak layers could be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers today. These slabs could have depths of four to eight feet.
At the lower elevations some potential may persist for humans or wildlife to trigger large wet slides today on very steep, snow-covered slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy overnight with a chance for some light snowfall with accumulations of a trace to an inch or two possible at the higher elevations. On Tuesday skies will be mostly cloudy with periods of light snowfall possible in the mountains. Temperatures will drop into the teens to 20s overnight and rise into the mid to upper 20s during the day. Winds will be west to southwest at 20 to 40 with gusts to near 55 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests.We will be in a waiting period after a substantial storm cycle and only days after a cycle of natural avalanche activity that included multiple Class V sized avalanches. The potential for natural avalanche activity to occur will continue to decrease, however the potential for humans to trigger very large destructive avalanches remains a distinct possibility. The general avalanche hazard is anticipated to be CONSIDERABLE with some areas of MODERATE hazard. This scenario demands respect.
