The potential for human triggered avalanches will remain possible today. Areas that have been exposed to wind or received new snow may have increased sensitivity to avalanches. Carefully evaluate terrain while watching for signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing.
Persistent weak layers formed in November are buried in the snowpack 1-2 feet. These weak layers are missing a firm cohesive slab in most locations to create favorable conditions for avalanches. Areas containing firm slab quality in upper elevations and wind loaded terrain may have increased sensitivity to triggering an avalanche.
Yesterday Togwotee experienced steady moderate winds out of the southeast. Snow available for transport was limited, so wind slabs will likely be shallow on isolated terrain features. Potential wind slabs could be more problematic in areas with a shallow snowpack and more sensitive persistent weak layers. Overall the whole zone contains entirely weak snowpack structure with thick layers of facets buried 1-2 feet. Observations also found basal facets developing into depth hoar on northeast aspects in the upper elevations. The snowpack lacks slab quality propagation, but will have to be reevaluated during periods of rapid changing snow, wind, or temperature.
