Avalanche conditions remain dangerous above an elevation 8,000 feet where the hazard is considerable. New snow and light to moderate winds continue to increase the load on persistent weak layers that have recently produced large slab avalanches. Up there human triggered avalanches are likely in steep wind loaded active avalanche paths. Heightened avalanche hazards exist below that elevation where the avalanche hazard is rated as moderate. Human triggered avalanches are possible down there.
At the higher elevation humans could trigger large to very large slab avalanches on buried layers of faceted. These dangerous avalanches could be up to four feet deep and could run long distances. At the lower elevations, below an elevation of 8,000 feet, small to large slab avalanches up to 2 feet in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes.
In steep, wind loaded terrain above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs 1 to 2 feet deep. These wind slabs could step down to weak layers deeper in the snowpack and become a large persistent slab avalanche.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is forecast to continue overnight and into Tuesday with decreasing intensity after sunrise. Additional accumulations of 10 to 18 inches are possible in the Tetons and in portions of the Greys River areas. Five to 8 inches are possible in the Togwotee Pass area. Temperatures will be in the teens in the mountains and in the 20’s at the lower elevations. Summit winds are forecast to be from the west at 15 to 20 with gusts to 30 miles per hour.New snow continues to increase the load on buried weak layers. As we tetter on the brink of failure on these problem layers conditions will be dangerous. Large to very large slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by humans. Naturally released avalanches are possible and could run long distances. Large avalanches involving only the most recent new snow could be 1 to 3 feet deep. Very large avalanches that fail on deeper layers will be destructive and could be up to six feet deep. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable and may increase to high in areas where copious amounts of new snow has accumulated on a snowpack with reactive, persistent weak layers. Being caught in a very large avalanche tomorrow is likely to be un-survivable. Expert route selection skills will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain tomorrow.
