Strong winds that varied greatly in direction during and just following a storm that brought significant snowfall to localized areas earlier in the week has created soft slabs on a variety of aspects above 8000 feet. Loose snow sloughs are possible in very steep terrain. Identify surface conditions and terrain carefully in order to avoid these avalanche concerns. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet. Careful snowpack evaluation is recommended in these areas. Normal caution is advised below 8000 feet where avalanche activity is unlikely except for in isolated pockets in very steep terrain.
Pockets of recently formed soft slabs could be human triggered on a variety of aspects today. In areas favored by this weeks storm, slab depths could reach eighteen inches.
Deep hard slabs continue to have potential to be human triggered above an elevation of 9,000 feet in steep north facing avalanche paths. If triggered these dangerous slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These deep slabs are more likely to fail under larger triggers such as snowmobiles, large cornice drops and groups of people.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies are to continue to clear overnight. Valley fog or low clouds are likely to develop in the morning over the Jackson Hole and Star valleys. Although clearer skies are expected, weak north flow will continue to supple some clouds and a chance for light snow to fall in isolated areas. Mountain highs are to be in the upper teens and northwest winds are to average ten to fifteen miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in all forecast areas above 8000 feet and Low below that elevation. Wind slabs can still be triggered on a variety of aspects with depths up to two feet. Weak snow layers lie at the base of the snowpack on northerly aspects above 9000 feet. This weak layer and the chance to trigger full depth avalanches demands the most attention in the shallower snowpack in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Southwest Trails area, its chance of occurrence is limited to isolated areas and in the Tetons, deep slabs are not considered a current concern.
