Yesterdays strong winds and new snow have created dangerous conditions above an elevation of 7,500 feet and heightened the avalanche hazard below that elevation. Dense wind slabs have formed on snow surfaces that were previously covered with well developed surface hoar. The load on persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack has been increased and redistributed. Small to large winds slabs and large to very large persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by humans who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes. A careful evaluation of the snowpack and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Dense wind slabs formed by southwest to northwest winds could be triggered by the weight of a single person in avalanche prone terrain. These slab avalanches could be 6 to 18 inches deep.
Persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by the first person on a slope or on a slope with multiple tracks. These dangerous slabs could be triggered on a variety of aspects. They could be 2 to 5 feet deep above an elevation of 7,500 feet and up to 2 feet deep below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dryer, colder air is moving in. Northwest winds will decrease overnight. Clearing skies are expected on Thursday with some lingering snow showers possible over the higher elevations. Little to no accumulation is anticipated. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and will rise into the 20s in the valleys.Today’s strong winds and new snow fell upon surface hoar that was widespread and well developed. This storm also increased and redistributed the load on buried weak layers that persist in our snowpack on a variety of aspects at all elevations. Skies and riders who venture into steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones are likely to triggered dense wind slabs 6 to 18 inches deep. Dangerous slab avalanches that could fail on deeply buried weak layers could also be triggered by humans. These persistent slab avalanches are likely to be 2 to 4 feet deep, destructive and potentially un-survivable. In the Teton and Greys River areas the general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable above an elevation of 7,500 feet. In this terrain conditions are dangerous. A careful evaluation of the snowpack and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate at the lower elevation in these areas and in the Togwogtee Pass area. In this terrain heightened avalanche dangers exist on avalanche prone slopes. where humans could trigger slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep.
