The first sunny day over an extended period will provide the ability for backcountry enthusiasts to get into avalanche terrain that has not seen traffic in many days. Caution is advised as recently formed wind slabs and deeper hard slabs could be triggered in steep avalanche terrain. The liklihood of triggering these slabs will increase this afternoon as warming and direct sunlight weaken them and they become more susceptible to human triggers.
Strong west to northwest winds have formed soft wind slabs on leeward slopes at all elevations. These slabs could be triggered with depths up to 18 inches. These slabs are most likely to be encountered in exposed terrain near ridgelines where the most heavy wind loading has occurred. Failure of these wind slabs could step down to deeper weaknesses in the snowpack.
Weak layers of faceted snow persist deep within the snowpack. Failure of these layers will produce very large hard slab avalanches with depths up to five feet. The consequences of being caught would most likely be fatal.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A dry day is forecast for Wednesday. Cold air with move in overnight and temperatures in the single digits could be present by sunrise. High temperatures could reach the mid to upper twenties in the mountains with warmer conditions expected in the valleys. Winds are to be Northwesterly with averages of five to fifteen miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate in the Teton area where wind slabs to depths of three feet could be triggered in steep avalanche terrain above 8000 feet and isolated pockets to a foot could be triggered below that elevation. In the Togwotee Pass area and the Southwest Trails area the hazard will be Considerable. In these areas, a similar chance to trigger wind slabs is also present. Additionally, deep weaknesses in the snowpack remain susceptible to human triggers. If triggered these large and dangerous hard slab avalanches could have depths to five feet in the Togwotee Pass area and to six feet in the Southwest Trails area.
