SITUATION:
|
Approximately thirty inches of snow containing three inches of moisture has fallen since Monday afternoon at the upper elevations. During this time temperatures followed a warming trend and strong west winds formed slabs on a variety of aspects and elevations. These slabs formed upon several inches of light snow that fell over the last weekend. Temperatures today stayed in the mid twenties at higher elevations and in the mid to upper thirties in the valleys and low elevations where rain fell in some areas. Strong west winds had averages near forty miles per hour today with gusts in the seventies on Rendezvous Mountain. Impressive gusts to one hundred and thirty mph were recorded on Mount Coffin in the Wyoming Range late this afternoon.
Avalanche activity was widespread. Natural activity hit the road in Snake River Canyon early this morning and Hoback Canyon closed this afternoon due to natural avalanche debris from both Cow and Calf of the Woods slide paths. Avalanche reduction efforts at JHMR produced many soft to dense slabs one to four feet in depth. Several of those slides were triggered with ski cutting.
|
FORECAST FOR Thursday, February 23, 2012 :
|
Continued snowfall and strong winds are expected into Thursday morning as colder air moves into the area. During the day winds and snowfall are expected to diminish as the flow weakens. An additional six to ten inches could fall by Thursday afternoon. Mountain temperatures are to start in the single digits in the morning before rising into the upper teens.
The general avalanche hazard is expected to be High as strong winds continue to load avalanche starting zones. Unstable slabs lie on a variety of aspects and elevations in steep avalanche terrain. These slabs could have depths to four feet at the higher elevations where greater snowfall amounts fell and the strongest winds blew.
|
TREND FOR Friday, February 24, 2012 AND Saturday, February 25, 2012 :
|
| The avalanche danger is expected to lessen during this time as cool temperatures and minimal snowfall allow the snowpack to adjust to the recent loading. |
| Danger Level | Travel Advice | Likelihood of Avalanches | Avalanche Size & Distribution |
| 5 Extreme |
 |
Avoid all avalanche terrain |
Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. | Large to very large avalanches in many areas. |
| 4 High |
|
Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. |
Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. |
Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. |
| 3 Considerable |
 |
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious routefinding and conservative decision-making essential. |
Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. |
Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. |
| 2 Moderate |
 |
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. |
Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. |
Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. |
| 1 Low |
 |
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. |
Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. |
Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. |
|
| SPONSORS: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Togwotee Mountain Lodge, Box Y Ranch, Brooks Lake Lodge, Wyoming State Trails Program, Bruce Hayse M.D., Wyoming Public Television KCWC, Storm Show Studios, Skinny Skis, Wells Fargo Bank, Chippy's Kitchen and Catering, Apex Real Estate and Property Management, Teton Gravity Research, Burgess Custom Outerwear & Apparel, Snow King Resort, Idaho National Laboratory , Wells Fargo, Ski Bum Music Festival, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, Grand Targhee Resort, DeFazio Law, Eric Balog, Twenty Two Designs, Jack Stout of Jackson Hole Properties, Stewart Johnson, CPA, Jackson Hole Ski Atlas, Jackson Hole Snow Devils, TicketPrinting.com, Ticket River, Street Account, The North Face, Salomon, Backcountry Access and Recco |
|
|
To report an avalanche observation call 307-739-2607