New soft slabs are building on leeward aspects at the upper elevations. Some potential may also persist at the higher elevations for larger triggers like high-marking snowmobilers or multiple snowmobiles on the same slope to trigger deep slab avalanches on very steep, avalanche-prone slopes. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet.
West to southwest winds have created soft slabs to 12 inches deep along the leeward aspects of the higher ridge crests. These new surface slabs could be human triggered on steep avalanche-prone slopes.
At the higher elevations weak, faceted snow lies upon a buried crust near the base of the snowpack. Some potential may persist for humans to trigger deep hard slab avalanches up to four feet in depth on this buried weak layer in steep bowls and gullies.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A Pacific storm will bring increasing snowfall to the mountains this evening. The snowfall rate may become heavy at times with up to six inches of accumulation by dawn Monday and another four to six inches during the day. Temperatures will be near ten degrees in the morning and warm to the mid teens during the day. Winds at the ridge crests will be southwesterly at 20 miles per hour overnight then westerly at 15 to 20 during the day Monday.Forecasted new, light density snow will again be easily transported to lee slopes at mid and upper elevations. Backcountry users will find easily triggered, soft surface slabs one to two feet in depth on steep, lee slopes. As snowfall increases, the depth, size and sensitivity of slides will increase creating dangerous conditions. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate, increasing through the day.In the Southwest Trails/Greys River and Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass areas the possibility remains for backcountry travelers to trigger deep slabs to the ground at upper elevatons due to a persistent weak layer.
