The general avalanche hazard remains CONSIDERABLE above 7,500 feet and LOW below 7,500 feet where snow depths are shallow. The snowpack structure is poor. Recently accumulated new snow lies upon buried layers of surface hoar and a base of weak, faceted snow. Large, human-triggered slab avalanches are probable on steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
On steep slopes above 7,500 feet that have not experienced recent avalanche activity, backcountry travelers could trigger large slab avalanches that fail on persistent weak layers. These slabs, with depths of two to four feet, could release to the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Arctic air will persist, and similar weather conditions are in store for Thursday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near negative 10 before climbing into the positive single digits during the day. The chance for light snowfall will continue tonight and into Thursday with possible accumulations of two to four inches of new snow by tomorrow evening. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.Backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slabs up to four feet deep. These slabs lie upon a snowpack with poor structure. This is particularly true in the Togwotee Pass area where the shallow snowpack is more faceted. There, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. In the Tetons and the Greys River area, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.
