At the mid and upper elevations, dangerous conditions lurk in some areas. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger persistent deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth on a variety of aspects. While the likelihood of triggering these slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught still warrant CONSIDERABLE hazard. Conservative terrain choices will remain the safest and easiest way to avoid these dangerous slabs. Ridgetop winds picked up overnight, and backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of soft slab in very steep, leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines. The release of one of these small slides could step down and trigger a deep slab underneath. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain at the lower elevations.
The December drought layer continues to become less reactive. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these slabs, but the weight of a single person could still trigger one of these large to very large deep slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered.
Snowfall will begin to dissipate overnight as dry, northwesterly flow aloft develops ahead of a transitory ridge of high pressure. A few light snow showers could linger over the Tetons on Tuesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid to upper single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will veer to the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.While the likelihood of triggering persistent deep slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught will keep the general avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet at the low end of CONSIDERABLE on Tuesday. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to be able to impact the deeply buried December drought layer, but the weight of a single person could trigger one of these two to five feet deep slabs if a weak, shallow trigger point is encountered. Hanging snowfields and other unsupported slopes are more likely to see avalanche activity and should be avoided. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded gullies and ravines.
