New snow and wind will continue to build slabs that will become more sensitive to triggers as the day goes on. Above 8,500' avalanches will become more likely to trigger in steep wind loaded starting zones. Avalanches involving the new snow have the potential to step down to more deeply buried weak layers in the snowpack. Involvement in avalanches could carry significant consequences due to thin snow cover in many areas and may result in traumatic injury. Avalanches are unlikely in the low elevations.
New snow and wind build slabs up to 2 feet in depth. These slabs will be found on steep upper elevation leeward aspects and will become more sensitive to triggers as the day goes on.
Snow showers will continue overnight. Forecasted amounts by 6 am tomorrow are 4-6” in the Tetons, 1-3” on the Continental Divide/Togowtee Pass and 4-6” in the Southwest Trails/Grey’s River area. Lingering showers will add another trace to an inch of additional snow during the day. Ridgetop winds will shift from southwest to west and be in the 15-25mph range. Temperatures will be in the teens at 8,000’ and single digits at 10,000’. While additional snowfall will add some stress to the snowpack, the winds will help to amplify that loading and stress in specific terrain features. Steep high elevation wind loaded slopes will remain the most likely places to trigger avalanches tomorrow. Avalanche activity will remain Low at low elevations, Low to Moderate at mid elevations and Moderate in the upper elevations.
