The mountains have received 2 feet of new snow with over 2 inches of moisture since Saturday afternoon. Some areas have received close to 3 feet with with over 2.5 inches of moisture since Friday evening. Southwest to northwest winds have caused extensive drifting at the upper elevations, some drifting at the mid elevations and localized drifting at the lower elevations. Large slab avalanches are likely to be easily triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes at the upper elevations and can be triggered in steep avalanche terrain at the mid elevations. At the lower elevations skiers and riders could trigger small pockets of soft slab in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Expert route finding skills and conservative terrain decisions are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches one to three feet deep at the mid and upper elevations. These dangerous slabs could easily bury or seriously harm a person. At the lower elevations humans could trigger slab avalanches that are 6 to 18 inches deep on isolated terrain features.
Tuesday looks to be mostly dry, although a chance for a few lingering light snow showers exists in the Tetons. Otherwise conditions will be mostly clear and cold with mountain temperatures starting below zero and reaching highs in the teens. Winds are to be westerly with 10-25 mph averages. The general avalanche hazard is to be Moderate above 8000 feet and low below that elevation. In steep avalanche terrain that was loaded by the recent storm, skiers and riders could trigger soft slabs to depths of three feet. Below that elevation, isolated pockets of wind slabs with depths to a foot could be triggered in very steep avalanche paths prone to wind loading.
