An avalanche warning has been issued by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. During the past several days over two feet of new snow with over two inches of moisture has fallen in the mountains. Strong winds with gusts to 51 miles per hour and increasing temperatures have accompanied that snowfall. Multiple natural avalanche events have impacted the highways in the Hoback and Snake River Canyon and WYDOT artificially triggered an avalanche in Glory Bowl that ran over the highway last night. Very large slab avalanches are likely to release naturally or be human triggered today.
Dense wind slabs with crown depths to three feet are likely to release naturally or be easily triggered by humans today. Once triggered these slabs could step down to buried weak layers.
Very large persistent slabs with depths of three to five feet could release naturally or be triggered by humans or the release of surface slabs. The likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase during the day as a snowpack with poor structure continues to be loaded by strong winds and new snow.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) Snow will be on the increase across the area again tonight and will continue through much of the day on Sunday before decreasing Sunday night. New snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are expected in the mountains during the next 24 hours. Strong west winds at speeds of 20 to 30 with gusts to 45 miles per hour will continue to create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and in the 20s and low to mid 30s in the valleys.If this weather forecast verifies the general avalanche is expected to be HIGH in all areas. Very large natural and human triggered slab avalanches with crown depths of three to six feet are likely and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
