The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above 7,500 feet. At the mid and upper elevations a buried layer of surface hoar one to two feet below the snow surface has been a concern. This persistent weak layer has only been recently active in response to cornice drops. Some potential may remain for snowmachines, cornice drops or large groups of skiers or riders to trigger hard slab avalanches in isolated areas. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
In isolated areas hard slabs lie upon faceted snow and hard crusts, which formed in January. Some potential may persist for humans to trigger hard slab avalanches up to two feet in depth in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Our forecast region will be on the western edge of a cold front that will move south from Montana into central and eastern Wyoming. Some light snowfall is possible in a northwest flow as this front bumps up against the Continental Divide and spills colder air and limited moisture into the region. Skies will be overcast on Sunday with a chance for some light snowfall with accumulations of an inch or two possible. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s overnight and rise into the 20s and 30s during the day. Winds will be northwest at 5 to 20 miles per hour. Buried surface hoar one to two feet below the snow surface continues to be identified in some areas as a potential problem. This persistent weak layer has only been active lately in response to cornice drops. Some potential may persist for large triggers such as high marking snowmobiles and cornice drops to trigger hard slabs up to two feet in depth in isolated areas at the mid and upper elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
