Above freezing temperatures combined with recent snow and wind make triggering an avalanche possible today. The most recent snow lies upon a variety of old snow surfaces including weak sugary snow and slick crusts. Look out for cracking within wind drifted snow and signs of wet loose instability such as roller balls, especially on southerly aspects.
Recent snowfall and wind have combined to form wind slabs that are 1-2 feet thick at the upper elevations. These slabs rest on a variety of snow surfaces ranging from weak, sugary facets to firm sun crusts. 6-10 inches of low density snow fell throughout the day on November 23. Winds veered from the W to the N after the snowfall and averaged 10-20 mph with gusts 30-40 mph.
Temperatures are starting off heavily inverted in the mountains today, with many locations above 9k' already above freezing. Above the inversion cloud deck sushine will be abundant in the mountains today. Above freezing temps with plenty of solar input and recent snow (November 23) is a recipe for some wet loose activity. The newest snow from November 23 rests upon firm crusts on solar aspects.
Temperatures are starting off above freezing in mountain locations today, with valley temperatures in the single digits. Small wet loose avalanches within the most recent snow are likely given the forecast of warm temperatures and sunshine. Cold snow and winds with an easterly component combined yesterday to form winds slabs on southerly and westerly aspects. Signs of instability within the new wind drifted snow were observed yesterday in the Tetons and Greys River zones.
The most recent snowfall from November 23 resulted in 6-10 inches of low density snow that was easily pushed around by the wind at the upper elevations. This snow fell on weak sugary facets on northern aspects and firm sun crusts and crust/facet combinations on solar aspects.
