Large natural avalanches occurred yesterday at the mid and upper elevations in the Teton Range, and in the Greys River area massive natural avalanches of historic size occurred in the Hoback River Canyon. A Class V-sized avalanche impacted the groomed trail to Granite Hot Springs. The colder temperatures, lower wind speeds and dry conditions will combine to lessen the avalanche hazard. However, the snowpack will still be adjusting to the intense loading, rain and warm temperatures, which have occurred during the past ten days. At the mid and upper elevations the potential for large destructive avalanches to release naturally is anticipated to be greatly diminished. The potential for humans to trigger these very dangerous slides will persist. The possibility for wet slides at the lower elevations is also expected to be diminished. Naturally released wet slides are unlikely, but some potential for human triggered wet slides may persist.
Dense wind slabs formed by westerly winds with depths of one to three feet could be human triggered in steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs could step down to deeper layers of weak faceted snow in areas with poor snowpack structure.
Buried layers of weak snow persist at all elevations. Slabs that lie upon these weak layers could be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers today. These slabs could have depths of three to five feet.
At the lower elevations some potential may persist for humans or wildlife to trigger large wet slides today on very steep, snow-covered slopes.
Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy overnight with a chance for some light snowfall with accumulations of a trace to an inch or two possible at the higher elevations. On Tuesday skies will be mostly cloudy with periods of light snowfall possible in the mountains. Temperatures will drop into the teens to 20s overnight and rise into the mid to upper 20s during the day. Winds will be west to southwest at 20 to 40 with gusts to near 55 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests.We will be in a waiting period after a substantial storm cycle and only days after a cycle of natural avalanche activity that included multiple Class V sized avalanches. The potential for natural avalanche activity to occur will continue to decrease, however the potential for humans to trigger very large destructive avalanches remains a distinct possibility. The general avalanche hazard is anticipated to be CONSIDERABLE with some areas of MODERATE hazard. This scenario demands respect.
