An avalanche warning was cancelled at 6 AM this morning, however conditions in the backcountry remain dangerous. Up to three feet of snow with over three inches of moisture has been added to the snowpack since Saturday. The snowpack remains unstable as it struggles to adjust to that load. Patience and conservative terrain choices are essential until the this adjustment has been completed. Large wind slab avalanches involving the recent storm snow and very large persistent slab avalanches could be human triggered in steep terrain. These dangerous slab avalanches may be especially sensitive to larger triggers, like snowmachines. Natural avalanche releases are possible. Very large and destructive slab avalanches could run full path. Today's sunshine could increase the sensitivity of these slides to human triggers and natural releases. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations. Expert terrain assessment and snowpack stability evaluation skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Dense wind slabs formed by southwest to west winds could be triggered by humans on a variety of aspects. Natural releases are possible. These slabs could be 2 to 4 feet deep at the higher elevations and be 1 to 2 feet deep and wet at the lower elevations.
Over three inches of snow water equivalent have been added to a snowpack that has buried persistent weak layers and areas with poor basal snow structure. Very large, deep slab avalanches could be easily triggered by humans or release naturally on these problem layers. These destructive avalanches could run long distances. They could be 4 to 6 feet deep at the higher elevations and up to three feet deep and wet at the lower elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow shower activity will decrease overnight as cooler and dryer air moves into western Wyoming. Skies are forecast to be mostly sunny on Friday with a chance of isolated snow showers over the highest terrain. Temperatures will drop into the teens and single digits by morning. Winds will be from the west-southwest and decrease to 10 to 20 miles per hour.The avalanche warning which has been continued until 6AM on Friday morning will be re-evaluated at 5AM and may be discontinued at that time.Conditions remain dangerous. At the mid and upper elevations huge loads have been placed on top of a snowpack that has buried persistent weak layers and areas with poor basal snow structure. The natural release or human triggering of very large slab avalanches is a real concern with potentially severe consequences. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable on Friday. Patience and conservative terrain choices are essential until the snowpack finishes adjusting to the massive loading that occurred during the past five days. Tomorrow’s sunshine could increase the hazard during the day.
