Mountain temperatures are starting out 10 to 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, and avalanche conditions remain dangerous. Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small pockets of wind slab in steep, wind loaded terrain. Large persistent slab avalanches remain the primary concern. These slabs could be triggered directly by backcountry travelers or indirectly after stepping down from the release of a wind slab. Don’t let the excitement of new snow impair your judgement; expert snowpack evaluation and route selection skills will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Since Wednesday, close to an inch of snow water equivalent has been added to a snowpack with poor structure. This load has increased the likelihood of triggering dangerous slab avalanches with depths of one to three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next in a series of Pacific weather systems will begin to move through the region Saturday night. This system is forecasted to favor the Tetons with up to a foot of new snow by midday on Sunday. During this time period, Togwotee Pass could see four to six inches, and only a few inches are expected in the Southwest Trails area. Ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour.On Sunday, dangerous avalanche conditions will continue, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable. New snow and wind will add depth and volume to the recently formed wind slabs. In steep, wind loaded terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could easily trigger these slabs with depths of 12 to 30 inches. The new snowfall will continue to load persistent weak layers of faceted snow deeper in the snowpack. These slabs, with depths of two to four feet, could be triggered directly by backcountry travelers or indirectly after stepping down from the release of a wind slab. Natural activity will be possible. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches one to two feet in depth. Don’t let the excitement of new snow impair your judgement; expert snowpack evaluation and route selection skills will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
