An avalanche warning remains in effect. Conditions are still very dangerous. Up to 30 inches of snow with 2.5 inches of moisture has fallen in favored areas since Saturday. Temperatures will be warmer today and did not drop below freezing at the lowest elevations overnight. Very large avalanches could release naturally. Large human triggered avalanches are likely. Large destructive avalanches could run full path though mature trees and well out into run out zones. At the lower elevations wet slide activity is likely on a variety of aspects and may become widespread. Roof slides are a serious concern. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Dense wind slabs formed by southwest winds exist on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be easily triggered by humans on steep slopes. Natural releases are likely. These slabs could be 2 to 4 feet deep at the mid and upper elevations. They could be 1 to 2 feet deep at the lower elevations where they could be wet.
Up to 2.5 inches of snow water equivalent has been loaded above persistent weak layers of faceted snow in the snowpack. Large to very large, deep slab avalanche releases are likely to be triggered by humans or release naturally on these persistent weak layers. These dangerous avalanches could run long distances into flat terrain. These destructive slabs could be 4 to 6 feet deep at the highest elevations and up to three feet deep and wet at the lower elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is forecast to continue overnight and through Wednesday in the mountains. The valleys will see a slight lull until midday. New snowfall amounts of 1 to 2 feet are possible in the Teton Range. Six to 12 inches are likely in the higher elevations of the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas. Up to eight inches are possible in the valleys. Temperatures will be in the 20s in the mountains and in the upper 20s and to mid-30s in the valleys. Winds will be from the southwest at 25 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour.An avalanche warning is in effect until 6 AM on Wednesday morning for the mountains of western Wyoming including the Teton Range, Gros Ventre Range, Yellowstone National Park, Snake River Range, Salt River Range, Wyoming Range, Absaroka Range, Togwotee Pass area and the valley of Jackson Hole. This avalanche warning will be re-evaluated at 5 AM. It is anticipated it will be extended until 6AM on Thursday morning. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in all our forecast zones. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be high at all elevations. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Natural avalanche activity is likely on a variety of aspects and could become widespread. Natural and human triggered avalanches could be very large and run full track. Impacts to roadways on Teton Pass are likely. Large to very large avalanches and wet slides could impact the roads in the Hoback and Snake River Canyons.
