The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above 9,000 feet. There, skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas could trigger surface slabs or potentially older persistent slabs. Below 9,000 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely except for in small isolated pockets in the steepest of terrain.
Surface slabs, one to two feet in depth, could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep terrain. These slabs lie on a variety of aspects as they have been formed by southwest, northwest, northeast and east-southeast ridgetop winds.
On steep, northerly aspects above 9,000 feet, some potential persists for humans to triggered hard slabs to the base of the snowpack with depths to four feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Friday looks to be mostly clear in the morning with increasing afternoon clouds as a weak system approaches. This system is not expected to bring significant snowfall but will break down the inversion conditions. Valley temperatures should be slightly warmer tomorrow morning and mountain temperatures are to reach the upper teens to low twenties. The general avalanche hazard will be moderate above 9000 and low below that elevation. At the higher elevations wind slabs with depths to two feet lie on a variety of aspects. In the Togwotee Pass area weak snow persists near the base of the snowpack on high north facing slopes where deeper failures are possible.
