Above 8000 feet, skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slab avalanches in steep wind loaded terrain. These slabs could release above the crust that was buried on March 7th, or could involve preserved faceted snow that lies beneath this crust. On Monday, there were multiple reports of skier and snowboarder triggered avalanches in the Palisades and Wyoming ranges, some of which involved this deeper persistent layer. Please visit the Avalanche Event Map on this website for more detailed info. Riders venturing into steep avalanche starting zones should use caution today as this hazard is not as easy to identify as simply looking for areas of wind loading and taking a look at the snow below the recent crust is recommended to determine slope stability. Avalanche activity is not expected in terrain below 8000 feet today.
In steep, upper elevation avalanche starting zones that have been loaded by recent snow and wind, soft slabs could be triggered involving the collapse of weak faceted that lies under the prominent crust buried on March 7th. These slabs could have depths to two feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is expected to fall in the mountains overnight with accumulations of 2-4 inches expected. Snow showers are to taper off by morning and skies are to slowly clear, becoming mostly sunny in the late afternoon. Temperatures are to be cooler with highs reaching the upper twenties in the mountains and the low to mid thirties in towns. The avalanche danger will remain Moderate above 9000 feet in the Teton and Togwetee pass areas where a chance continues to trigger small wind slabs in steep leeward terrain. Such events are expected to have slab depths of a foot or less. Avalanches below 9000 feet will be unlikely. In these zones, watch out for wind loaded features and remember that small slides can still have dire consequences in unforgiving terrain and many fatal accidents have occurred in similar conditions. In the Southwest Trails area, the danger will be Moderate above 8000 feet where slabs on wind loaded slopes could involve deeper layers and release to depths of two feet. Avalanches below 8000 feet will be unlikely. In this area looking for wind loaded features is not enough and examining the layering under the near surface crust is recommended to identify slopes where the snowpack is weak. High elevation terrain that is steep and shallow should be avoided.
