The hazard will be increasing as snowfall rates and strong winds combine to load existing instabilities and create new soft surface slabs on leeward aspects. Monitor conditions and adjust plans accordingly. Large deep slab avalanches continue to be a life threatening hazard at the upper elevations. New wind slabs that will be forming during the day and older wind slabs that were formed during the previous storm cycle will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses.
At the upper elevations west to southwest winds have been drifting available snow into avalanche starting zones and increasing the load on persistent deep slabs for days. Today's new snow and strong winds will increase the instability of these dangerous deep slabs. These destructive slabs could be human triggered with depths to five feet. Natural releases are possible.
Gusty winds will be creating pockets of new soft slab that will increase in depth and size as the day progresses and will be increasing the load on older wind slabs that formed during the previous storm cycle. These soft surface slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as snowfall intensity increases. These slabs are expected to be up to two feet deep.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another strong Pacific storm system will bring heavy snow and strong winds to our forecast area. Moderate to heavy snowfall will develop overnight and continue into Tuesday evening. This snowfall will be accompanied by strong winds with gusts to 55 miles per hour. Snowfall accumulations of more than a foot are likely in the Teton Range. Lesser but significant amounts are expected in the other ranges. Temperatures will warm into the 20s during this snowfall event.Heavy snowfall and strong winds will create new wind slabs on leeward aspects and increase the load on persistent deep slabs. This new load will increase the sensitivity of these dangerous deep slabs to human triggers and could result in natural releases. West to southwest winds will create new soft slabs that will increase in depth and volume as the day progresses. These wind slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers during the day. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations, MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW at the lower elevations when the day begins. The hazard at all elevations will increase as the day progresses.
