The avalanche hazard will be increasing today, especially at the upper elevations. Strong west-southwest winds are forming new soft slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs will gain depth and volume as the day progresses. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the period from 5 PM tonight through 5 AM Tuesday morning. The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has issued an Avalanche Watch for the same period and is likely to upgrade that watch to an Avalanche Warning by 5 PM this evening.
Strong west to west-southwest winds are forming new soft slabs on leeward aspects. These surface slabs are forming upon good sliding surfaces, are likely to be easily triggered by the weight of a single person and could increase to depths of 12 to 18 inches by evening.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning. A fetch of deep moisture in a north-northwest flow will bring prolonged periods of heavy to moderate snowfall with strong winds to the region. This flow will favor the Teton Range but will also bring substantial snowfall to the other mountain ranges in Western Wyoming. Snowfall totals of 15 to 30 inches are likely in the mountains by Tuesday morning. Snowfall totals in the valley could exceed 12 inches. Winds will be westerly at speeds of 35 to 40 with gusts to 50 to 55 miles per hour on the peaks and gusts to 40 miles per hour in the valleys. Temperatures will rise into the upper 20s in the mountains and into the low 30s in the valleys.The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center has issued an Avalanche Warning for the mountainous areas of Northwest Wyoming. Heavy snowfall and strong winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH. Natural avalanche activity is likely and may become widespread. Large, destructive avalanches could run full path. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
