Avalanche danger continues to be elevated, particularly during the afternoon when temperatures climb to even warmer highs than yesterday. Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger wind slabs that formed during recent heavy snowfall. Although less likely, a slight chance also continues for very large avalanches to occur involving deeply buried weak layers. Conservative decision making is essential this afternoon when the snowpack is weakened by temperatures that could reach the forties.
At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger wind slab avalanche that are 1 to 3 feet deep. The likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase during the day, especially on sunlit aspects. Natural releases are possible.
A slight potential for deep hard slab avalanches continues. Larger triggers such as the release of a large wind may be necessary to cause their failure. If triggered, crown depths of 4 to 8 feet at the mid and upper elevations and 2 to 4 feet deep at the lower elevations are expected.
A low-pressure system will move across the area tomorrow; skies will become partly cloudy and no precipitation is expected. The day will start inverted with valley temperatures in the single digits and mountain temperatures in the low teens. During the day, temperatures are expected to warm into the mid to upper 30s, and ridgetop winds will be light and variable.The avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable in the Grey’s River and Togwotee Pass forecast areas, where it is possible for a person to trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche with depths to 8 feet. The likelihood of triggering one of these slabs will increase with the daily warming. In the Teton forecast area, the hazard will decrease overnight and also increase as the day warms. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate, and a person could trigger a slab avalanche up to 3 feet in depth. The chances for triggering a deeper slab in the Tetons is becoming unlikely. At the upper elevations, there remains the possibility for a dry snow avalanche in steep avalanche terrain. In all the forecast areas below 9,000 feet and on solar aspects, wet slides are possible and may become likely during the warmest periods of the day, especially if skies clear. In areas with a shallow snowpack, there could be wet slab avalanches and on steep slopes wet loose slides. Backcountry travelers should monitor the snow’s surfaces and avoid steep slopes when the snow becomes damp; because as temperatures warm above freezing the snowpack can quickly change from stable to unstable.
