The general avalanche hazard is Considerable. Loose snow sluffs and soft surface slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered today. Older weak snow layers that lie in the snowpack could also fail causing even larger slides after initiation of the surface snow or by a single rider or skier. Any of these events could carry dire consequences and cautious routefinding and conservative decision making is essential today.
Surface slabs formed by west winds lie on leeward slopes. These slabs could have depths to two feet, will be very sensitive and once triggered have the potential to trigger deeper instabilities in the snowpack.
The snowpack structure is poor. Recent snowfall has added additional loads and stresses to persistent week layers within the snowpack. Backcountry travelers could easily trigger these dangerous hard slabs to depths of three to five feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of snow are expected through Friday as a cold front brings cooler temperatures to the area. The most significant snowfall will occur Thursday evening and could bring another two to four inches to the area. Mountain temperatures are to rise from the single digits in the morning to the teens in the afternoon. Winds are to be from the west with five to fifteen mile per hour averages.The general avalanche hazard will be Considerable in all areas. Recently formed slabs could be triggered with depths to two feet that lie upon slick sliding surfaces. Deeper avalanches can also be triggered on persistent weaknesses within the snowpack. These slides could fail to the ground and are most likely to occur in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas where weak snow is more prevalent.
