While the threat of avalanches is slowly decreasing, conditions remain dangerous. On very steep, avalanche prone slopes at the mid and upper elevations, skiers and riders could trigger recently developed, small to large wind slabs. Additionally, very large deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger shallow slides involving the recent snowfall along with small to large persistent slabs at the lower elevations. As the day warms, sunshine could increase the likelihood of avalanche activity on solar aspects. Continue to make conservative terrain choices, and stay off of large cornices and away from the terrain below them.
Recently developed, dense wind slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders on a variety of aspects in very steep, avalanche prone terrain. Above 7,500 feet, these slabs could range in depth from one to three feet, and be up to 18 inches deep below 7,500 feet.
The weight of a single person might still be sufficient to trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche if a shallow, weak zone is encountered. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure, are more likely than an individual skier to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. Slab depths are likely to vary from four to eight feet at the higher elevations and two to four feet at the lower elevations.
Cloud cover will move in and out tonight through Monday, and a few light snow flurries could occur. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the negative single digits before rising into the low teens in the afternoon. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The threat of avalanches will continue to slowly decrease, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Monday. In very steep, avalanche prone terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to three feet. Deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern, particularly on Togwotee Pass where poor snowpack structure is widespread. The weight of a single person might still be sufficient to trigger one of these slabs if a shallow, weak zone is encountered. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure, are more likely than an individual skier to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. In the Tetons, these slabs could range from four to eight feet deep, and slab depths in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones are likely to vary from three to six feet. After a hard freeze overnight, the snowpack is expected to be mostly stable below 7,500 feet in the morning. As the day warms, the possibility of triggering a slab avalanche up to three feet deep may increase in isolated areas. Moderate hazard is not a green light. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, make prudent terrain choices, and continue to be wary of large cornices and the terrain below them.
