Sunshine and warm temperatures will be increasing the hazard today. At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger stiff wind slabs in avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. Deeper slabs, which lie upon faceted snow throughout the snowpack, remain a threat. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations and on sunlit aspects at the mid and upper elevations elevations. Yesterday afternoon a wet slide hit a snowmobiler on the Grays River Road east of Alpine and pushed her into the river. She was not injured. This event occurred on a steep, south facing slope at an elevation of around than 6,300 feet.
Buried layers of faceted snow persist in the snowpack. Stiff surface slabs formed by west to northwest winds with depths to 18 inches could be human triggered on steep slopes. Older dense slabs up to five feet in depth could also be triggered on deeper buried layers of faceted snow.
Wet slides are possible today after temperatures warm and snow surfaces soften. These slides could release naturally or be human triggered. Wet loose slides are possible on steep sunlit slopes. Dangerous, deep wet slabs could fail to the ground with depths to five feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will control the weather. This pattern will bring dry conditions and lead to warming temperatures. Skies will be mostly sunny on Monday. Northwest winds will continue but slowly decrease. Overnight temperatures will be in the mid-teens. Daytime highs will rise to near 30 degrees at all elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at all elevations. At the mid and upper elevations pockets of hard and soft wind slab one to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. Wet slides are possible on steep sunlit aspects especially at the lower elevations. Deeper hard slabs, two to five feet in depth, could be human triggered in avalanche terrain in the Togwotee Pass area. Abundant sunshine and warm temperatures will increase the hazard as the day progresses. Deep slabs are not likely in the Grays River and the Teton areas, however this snowpack has not yet been subjected to the warming that will occur tomorrow and caution is advised.
