Cold, light density snowfall Sunday turned to warmer, denser snow by Monday morning. Generally westerly winds drove the lighter snow then became more southwesterly and picked up as conditions warmed. The storm snow rests on poor sliding surfaces and despite the "upside-down" nature of the snowpack slides were difficult to initiate during avalanche mitigation efforts at the Jackson Hole Resort. Much colder temperatures today will also make initiating slides more difficult but steep areas like chutes, near cliff bands and just below ridge crests hold the potential for dangerous, human triggered avalanches.
In the past 36 hours 12 to 16 inches of new snow driven by strong southwesterly winds have formed areas of wind slab at the mid and upper elevations. Backcountry users have the potential to trigger soft slabs to two feet in depth on steep, lee slopes. At the lower elevations the snowpack is thin and avalanches are unlikely.
Crusts and faceted snow formed in October persist near the base of the snowpack above 9,000 feet on shaded aspects. Surface slabs have the potential to step down to these layers. This low probability event would carry severe consequences.
Cold air with limited moisture will continue to filter into the region overnight. On Wednesday skies will be mostly cloudy. Snow flurries or periods of light snowfall area possible, however accumulations are likely to be an inch or less. Temperatures will be in the single digits below zero in the morning and rise into the single digits above zero in the afternoon. Winds will be west to northwest at 10 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations. Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain could trigger slab avalanches one to three feet in depth. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW at the lower elevations.
