New snow that has fallen during the past five days lies upon a well-developed layer of buried surface hoar. On south facing slopes, that surface hoar formed upon a sun crust. Today's avalanche problems include loose snow slides, new soft surface slabs and persistent deep slabs. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep terrain on a variety of aspects. A deep persistent avalanche hazard remains. Small surface slides could step down and cause large to very slab avalanches.
Loose snow slides are likely today on steep slopes on a variety of aspects. These slides will be easily triggered by skiers and riders and will release naturally on a buried layer of surface hoar. They will be a significant hazard above terrain traps and will gain volume and could cary skiers and riders down steep sustained pitches.
At the upper elevations increasing westerly winds will begin to form new soft slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are expected to be one to two feet deep. At the mid elevations very soft surface slabs with depths to 18 inches lie upon a buried layer of surface hoar. These slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders on steep slopes.
A deeply buried, weak layer of faceted snow persist above a hard crust that was formed in late November. Deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth can still be triggered by the weight of a person on this dangerous layer. The consequences of triggering a deep slab avalanche on this layer are likely to be severe.
Conditions will be dry through Wednesday night. Skies will be mostly sunny. Temperatures will rise into the 20s and 30s. Winds will back to the southwest at 15 to 20 with gusts to 30 miles per hour.In all areas the potential for skiers and riders to trigger large slab avalanches on a deeply buried persistent weak layer continues. These slabs could be two to five in depth. This avalanche hazard problem requires a careful assessment of the snowpack and terrain and conservative terrain choices.In the Teton area sunshine and warm temperatures will be impacting the new snow that fell yesterday. Loose snow slides are possible on steep slopes. Small pockets of surface slab up to two feet in depth could also be triggered by skiers and riders on steep avalanche prone slopes. Monitor conditions and be ready to move to cooler aspects and off of and out from under steep terrain if warming temperatures begin to create unstable conditions. The general avalanche hazard in all areas is expected to be MODERATE.
