Above 7500 feet, recent snow and wind have formed surface slabs on a variety of snow surfaces that will be sensitive to backcountry riders and skiers. The possibility also exists for failure to occur deeper in the snowpack on persistent weak layers. If triggered these deeper slabs will be large to very large and are likely to carry severe consequences to anyone involved. These dangers will increase this afternoon as the next system brings new snow and wind to western Wyoming. Avalanches below 7500 feet are unlikely today except in isolated pockets. Conservative decision making and an understanding of the snowpack is essential to safe backcountry travel today.
Dangerous deep slab avalanches 2 to 5 feet in depth could be human triggered on distinct persistent weak layers that were buried in mid-January and December. New loading will further increase the sensitivity of these slabs and failure could occur today to the weight of a single person or to the movement of a surface slab.
Above 7500 feet, backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger soft surface in areas prone to wind loading with depths to two feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is to resume by morning and increase throughout the day with heaviest snowfall occurring during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures in the mountains are to reach the mid teens. Winds will be westerly to southwesterly with twenty to thirty mph averages.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 7500 feet and Low below that elevation. Recently formed wind slabs will grow in size and sensitivity as the new system impacts the higher elevations. Hazard also exists as these storms are further loading persistent buried weak layers formed in mid January and early December. Avalanches involving these deeper layers are likely to be large and carry serious consequences to anyone involved.
