The snowpack is mostly stable below an elevation of 9,000 feet. Above 9000 feet, small pockets of wind slab could be human triggered in steep avalanche avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Some potential may persist for snowmobilers to trigger deep hard slabs in steep avalanche prone terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
Small pockets of wind slab to eighteen inches in depths lie upon old snow surfaces. These slabs could be human triggered in steep upper elevation avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. These slabs could increase in size and sensitivity as the new storm and strong winds further load them late this afternoon.
Weak layers of faceted snow persist in the snowpack. At the upper elevations some potential may remain for snowmobilers to trigger hard slab avalanches with depths to three feet in steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak system could bring periods of snow showers tonight into Thursday morning. Accumulations are to be light. A stronger pulse of moisture is to bring snow showers Thursday afternoon into Friday. Highs on Thursday to be in the mid to upper twenties. West winds are to increase during the day to averages between 30 and 35 mph during the afternoon. The snowpack is mostly stable below 9000 feet and the hazard is Low. Above 9000 feet the hazard is Moderate in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas where is a chance to trigger wind slabs to eighteen inch depths in steep wind loaded avalanche paths. A very unlikely but possible chance also exists to trigger deeper slabs on Togwotee Pass area. In the Southwest trails area at higher elevations, the hazard remains low, although shallow wind slabs could be triggered above 9000 feet.
