Riders and skiers have the potential to trigger recently formed wind slabs and deeper hard slabs in a snowpack underlain by weak snow. This hazard will increase today as sunlight and warming weaken the snowpack and make the triggering of these slabs more likely. The chance for small wet slides will also increase this afternoon.
Dangerous hard slabs up to six feet in depth could be triggered on steep slopes where persistent layers of weak faceted snow exist within and/or near the base of the snowpack. These dangerous slabs could be triggered on slopes that have been crossed multiple times by other riders or skiers. Failure of these layers may occur after a slope has been tracked several times.
Dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. These slabs could step down and trigger dangerous persistent deep slabs in areas with poor snowpack structure. These slabs will increase in sensitivity as warming occurs today.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will move in and dominate the region for the next several days. Clear skies and light northwest winds are expected on Wednesday. Mountain temperatures are to rise from morning lows near ten degrees to highs near thirty. Similar lows with highs in the forties are expected in the valleys. In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the morning and could rise to Considerable as warming and sunlight cause recently formed slabs and older slabs to weaken and become more susceptible to human triggers. Some potential remains for slabs to reach as much as eight feet in depth. In the Togwotee pass area and Southwest Trails areas the hazard will be Considerable where the chance to trigger deep persistent layers is greater. The hazard will increase in the afternoon in these areas as well.
