The snow pack remains unstable. Very large slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by humans and can still release naturally. Yesterday, skiers witnessed a naturally released avalanche run full track on Teewinot Mountain. A snowmobiler triggered a large slab avalanche north of Teton Pass and a skier outside of the boundary of Snow King Mountain remotely triggered a large slab avalanche. Similar events are likely today. Sunshine and warming temperatures will be increasing the likelihood for these dangerous slides to release. The consequences of being caught in one of these slabs would be severe. Expert terrain analysis skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Dense slabs up to six feet in depth lie upon a persistent weak layer of faceted snow. These slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects by the weight of a single person, release naturally or release after they have been crossed by multiple skiers or riders. At the lower elevations smaller pockets of dense slab up to two feet in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes.
Wind slabs up to 30 inches in depth could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and on convex roll overs. Once triggered these slabs could step down and create a very large deep persistent slab avalanche.
A few clouds may pass overhead this evening. Temperatures will remain inverted with fog development likely in the valleys during the morning hours. On Wednesday skies will be mostly sunny. Temperatures will rise into the upper 20s and 30s. Winds will be light at 5 to 15 miles per hour from the southwest to northwest.Conditions continue to be dangerous. Large slab avalanches can easily be triggered by the weight of a person on a variety of aspects. These killer slabs can also be triggered by a person after a slope has been crossed multiple times. Conservative terrain choices remain essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be rated as CONSIDERABLE.
