Two to four inches of light density snow has fallen in the mountains and more could fall today. This snow will be sensitive in steep terrain above 8500 to skiers and riders in the form of shallow loose sluffs and as soft wind slabs along ridge crests. Also above 8500, older weak layers persist, providing the chance to trigger deeper slabs. Avalanches at low elevations are not expected today. Caution is advised today. Avalanche activity is expected to be widespread but generally small in size. Even small slides can carry serious consequences from terrain features such as trees and in terrain traps.
New snow and west to northwest winds have formed soft surface slabs in steep wind loaded terrain. These slabs will be very sensitive to skiers and riders today and could have depths to eight inches this morning. These slabs could increase in size and sensitivity as snowfall continues today.
Weak faceted snow persists in the snowpack. Where consolidated snow lies upon these weaknesses, avalanches can be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers. These slabs could be small in size or could be larger, particularly on north facing slopes where greatest slab depths lie and failure could occur at the base of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is expected overnight and throughout Saturday. Snowfall will favor the higher elevations where five inches of snow could fall by tomorrow night. Temperatures are to be slightly warmer with highs in the teens expected. Winds will be generally light with ten to fifteen mile per hour averages from the west. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate at higher elevations of the Tetons and Togwotee Pass areas and at all elevations in the southwest trails area. Human triggered slabs remain possible with depths to twenty four inches in steep loaded terrain. Some potential remains to trigger larger hard slab avalanches on north facing slopes above 9000 feet. Hazard associated with new snow is expected to be minimal but the chance to trigger small surface sluffs could develop in the afternoon and will become more significant if greater than expected snowfall amounts occur.
