Human triggered slab avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects at all elevations. Cooler temperatures have decreased the potential but not fully eliminated the wet slide hazard. At the lower elevations thin crusts have formed upon wet snow and some instability may persist in isolated areas in very steep terrain. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify areas of concern.
New soft slabs formed by last nights westerly winds and denser hard slabs formed by yesterdays very strong southwest winds could be human triggered today in steep avalanche starting zones, couloirs and cliff areas. These slabs are generally expected to be one to two feet deep but could be up to four feet deep in some areas.
A low pressure system tracking along the Utah/Wyoming border will bring significant snowfall to areas of central and southern Wyoming. Only light snowfall is expected for areas west of the Continental Divide. Skies will be cloudy with periods of light snowfall. Several inches of new snow accumulation are likely by Thursday evening. Higher amounts are possible east of the Continental Divide in the Togwotee Pass area and in the southern and eastern areas of the Greys River forecast area. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Winds will turn to the east and northeast and increase to 15 with gusts to 25 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Surface slabs formed by recent southwest to west winds could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. These slabs are likely to be less than two feet deep in most areas but could be up to three feet deep in some locations.
