A buried layer of faceted snow continues to be a potential problem in steep, active avalanche paths above 9,000 feet. The likelihood of triggering slides failing on this layer will increase as temperatures rise during the day. As the day warms, the chance will also increase for skiers and riders to trigger pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches deep in very steep terrain, particularly on sunlit aspects. Daytime warming will also make loose snow sluffs and cornice failures possible. Stay off of large cornice features and avoid the terrain below them during the heat of the day.
Deep hard slabs, with depths to 40 inches, could be human triggered in steep, avalanche-prone terrain where a layer of weak, faceted snow persists near the base of the snowpack. This weak layer would most likely be found in the eastern portion of the forecast zone, which is in the rain shadow of the Salt River Range and has less snow.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Temperature inversions will rebuild overnight with lows in the mountains near 20.The valleys will dip into the low teens. During the day, mountain highs will be in the mid-30s as the valleys rebound to close to 40. Skies will be mostly clear above areas of morning valley fog. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the northeast at 5 to 15 miles per hour.On Friday morning, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in the Tetons and Moderate in Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas. Skiers and riders might be able to trigger a pocket of shallow wind slab in very steep, wind-loaded terrain. In the Togwotee Pass area, which has a shallow continental snowpack, deep persistent slabs could be triggered that fail in faceted snow near the ground. Similar slides are possible in the Greys River forecast zone in areas with shallow snow depths. These areas would most likely be found in the eastern portion of the forecast zone, which is in the rain shadow of the Salt River Range. As the day warms, both shallow wind slabs and deep persistent slabs could increase in likelihood, particularly on sunlit aspects. Small loose snow sluffs and cornice failures will also become possible with daytime warming.
