Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 7,500 feet. Backcountry travelers could easily trigger small to large wind slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. The potential also exists for skiers and riders to trigger deeper slabs on persistent weak layers that developed earlier in the season. Very strong winds today allow for the possibility of natural avalanche activity. At low elevations, recent snow lies over a weak snowpack. Small slabs could be triggered in isolated steep areas and exposure risks also exist in run out zones of large avalanche paths.
During the recent storm, strong southwest to northwest winds accompanied heavy snowfall, building wind slabs with depths to three feet. Very strong winds this morning continue to distribute snow near peaks and along ridge crests. Shallow wind slabs could fail on density breaks near the surface and deeper slabs to as much as four feet could be human triggered in steep avalanche terrain above 7500 feet
Widespread weak layers can be found in the snowpack on Togwotee Pass. Avalanches involving these layers could be triggered by the initiation of a wind slab or by the presence of a single person hitting a weak spot on a slope. If initialed these slabs could have depths of 2 to 5 feet in terrain above 7500 feet. At low elevations, there is little distinction between wind slabs and persistent slabs. At these elevations soft slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered in steep loaded terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Tuesday looks to be mostly cloudy. Some snow could fall, particularly in the Salt and Wyoming ranges as moisture is pushed up from the south. Southwest winds are to have 20-30 mph averages. Temperatures in the mountains are to rise from the single digits to the mid-teens. The general avalanche hazard ratings will be the same as today. Although avalanches are becoming less sensitive to human triggers, large and dangerous slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects. Above 7500 feet the recent snow lies as wind slabs and additional concern lies with buried persistent layers. Below 7500 the distinction between wind slabs and persistent slabs is not worth making. The snowpack is weak and where new snow has formed slabs in very steep terrain, they could be triggered and involve weak snow to the ground. Although the size and the sensitivity of potential avalanches varies by forecast area, the ratings will all be Considerable above 7500 feet and Moderate below that elevation.
