The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet. At the upper elevations wind slabs lie upon areas with weak old snow surfaces and could be human triggered. Yesterday a skier triggered a 30 inch soft slab on a steep northeast aspect of Breccia Mountain in the Togwotee Pass area. This person was caugth, carried and injured but not buried. Similar events are possibel today. In addition, abundant sunshine and warming temperatures could cause losse snow slides on steep sunlit aspects.
At the upper elevations pockets of wind slab up to two feet in depth could be human triggered on old snow surfaces in steep avalanche prone terrain. These slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as temperatures increase.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly clear overnight with some areas of valley fog possible by morning. Overall Saturday will be sunny with temperatures rising into the 30s and 40s in the mountains and into the 50s in the valleys. Winds will be south-southwest along the highest ridge lines at speeds of 10 to 20 with gusts to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. Humans who venture onto steep slopes at the upper elevations, that are underlain by slick old snow surfaces, could trigger pockets of wind slab up to two feet deep. Avalanches are unlikely in areas where the recent new snow accumulated on bare ground.
