Snow from last week's storm fell on weak surfaces from the January dry period. Dangerous avalanches to four feet in depth may require larger triggers today. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully to identify features of concern.
The potential for destructive avalanches two to four feet in depth continues. Persistent hard slabs rest on weak January drought surfaces on a variety of aspects and could be triggered by backcountry travelers. A slope could be crossed multiple times before a skier or rider hits a trigger point. Periods of sunshine on slopes will increase the chance of releasing slides.
A weak short-wave trough will bring some light snow to the mountains of western Wyoming Wednesday with accumulations of one to two inches. Winds will be westerly at 20 miles per hour in the morning, slowing through the day. Mountain temperatures will be around 20 degrees. Deep, persistent slabs two to four feet in depth resting on the weak surfaces from January continue to be the primary avalanche concern. As the snowpack slowly becomes more stable the areas where these slides are more likely will tend to be steeper avalanche terrain, areas under ridge crests or near and under cliff bands; generally steeper areas where more snow was drifted into deeper deposition during last weeks storm or areas with shallower snow where the snowpack is weak and faceted. Larger triggers such as multiple snow machine runs or ski tracks may be necessary to trigger these dangerous slides. The general avalanche danger will be MODERATE.
