Since Friday afternoon, the Southwest Trails forecast zone has received 12 to 18 inches of new snow with the Salt River Range being favored. Strong southwesterly to westerly winds accompanied this snowfall, and wind slabs have developed in leeward terrain. Backcountry travelers could trigger these small to large slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain above 9,000 feet. Avalanches are unlikely below 9,000 feet. There, snow depths are shallow, and old snow layers are not present at the base of the snowpack. Hazards associated with a shallow, early season snowpack are also prevalent at all elevations.
In steep, avalanche prone terrain, backcountry travelers could trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths ranging from one to three feet. These slides are most likely to occur in terrain that held October snow. In these areas, anchors are being covered, and old snow surfaces provide potential failure zones.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After a brief lull this evening, northwesterly flow aloft will bring the next round of moisture to the region after midnight and continue through the day on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be around 10 degrees before rising into the mid-20s in the afternoon. Westerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.On Sunday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable at the higher elevations in the Tetons. In steep, wind loaded terrain above 9,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches with depths ranging from one to four feet. In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones, where storm totals are less, the general avalanche hazard in the mountains is expected to be Moderate. There, similar slab avalanches up to three feet deep could be triggered on steep, avalanche prone slopes. When evaluating the snowpack and terrain, be wary of slopes that held snow from October.
