Considerable Avalanche Danger for western Wyoming mountains Jan. 25
Backcountry skiers triggered several avalanches
by Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center
January 24, 2017
Western Wyoming Avalanche Advisory issued on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, 7:57 PM
Situation:
A storm system passed over western Wyoming overnight. This system brought 4 to 12 inches of new light density snow to the area. Snowfall accumulations were highly variable over relatively short distances within each of our forecast areas. Favored areas included Teton Pass, areas near the top of Togwotee Pass and Commissary Ridge in the Salt River Range. The snowfall was accompanied by mostly light and variable winds. Temperatures in the mountains were in the single digits and teens. Snowfall accumulations during the past several days have also been quite variable. Favored areas have received over two feet of new snow. Very soft wind slabs exist in areas that have received enough wind. Loose light density snow is widespread at the mid and lower elevations and prevalent in many areas at the upper elevations.
Backcountry skiers triggered soft slab avalanches in the Chicken Scratch Chute on Teton Pass and in the Green River Drainage in the Southern Teton Range today. Skiers were caught and carried. One was partially buried. Nobody is known to have been injured.
Forecast for Wednesday, January 25, 2017:
Skies will remain mostly cloudy with periods of light snowfall and snow showers. Temperatures will be cooler and remain in the single digits and teens. Winds will be west to northwest and gradually increase from 10 to 20 miles per hour.
Slowly increasing winds will begin to transport available snow along the highest ridge crests. Soft surface slabs and loose snow sluffs will continue to be sensitive to human triggers in steep terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations in areas that have received the most new snow and MODERATE in areas that did not receive as much snow and at the mid and lower elevations. Deep persistent slabs are still a potential hazard in isolated areas.
For more information about avalanche conditions in western Wyoming go to www.jhavalanche.org
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