Abundant amounts of new snow and moderate winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions above an elevation of 9,000 feet and dangerous conditions below that elevation. Large to very large slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by humans. Natural avalanche activity is expected. These dangerous slides could run long distances and are likely to be destructive and un-survivable. In areas not affected by the wind, loose snow sluffs in steep terrain could entrain enough snow to bury a person. On Sunday a snowboarder died in a tree well at the ski resort in Teton Village. Snow immersion is a significant hazard in the backcountry today. Travel with a partner(s) and keep them in sight. Travel in not recommended in avalanche terrain during periods of high avalanche hazard.
Large to very slab avalanches could be easily triggered by a person or release naturally. These slabs could be three to six feet deep at the higher elevations and up to three feet deep below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
In steep terrain above 7,500 feet west to southwest winds have formed fresh wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs could be human triggered or release naturally. They are likely to be 1 to 3 feet deep. These surface slabs also have the potential to step down to weak layers deeper in the snowpack and become a large to very large persistent slab avalanche.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is forecast to continue overnight and into Tuesday with decreasing intensity after sunrise. Additional accumulations of 10 to 18 inches are possible in the Tetons and in portions of the Greys River areas. Five to 8 inches are possible in the Togwotee Pass area. Temperatures will be in the teens in the mountains and in the 20’s at the lower elevations. Summit winds are forecast to be from the west at 15 to 20 with gusts to 30 miles per hour.New snow continues to increase the load on buried weak layers. As we tetter on the brink of failure on these problem layers conditions will be dangerous. Large to very large slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by humans. Naturally released avalanches are possible and could run long distances. Large avalanches involving only the most recent new snow could be 1 to 3 feet deep. Very large avalanches that fail on deeper layers will be destructive and could be up to six feet deep. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable and may increase to high in areas where copious amounts of new snow has accumulated on a snowpack with reactive, persistent weak layers. Being caught in a very large avalanche tomorrow is likely to be un-survivable. Expert route selection skills will be necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain tomorrow.
