Clear skies have promoted the formation of a surface crust however temperatures in the mountains remained above freezing overnight and this crust is expected to be thin and to rapidly break down. The avalanche hazard will be Low during the early morning hours and will quickly rise to Moderate by mid morning and to Considerable this afternoon. Morning sunlight and increasing temperatures will soften the snow surface surface and the chance for wet slides will quickly develop and could release naturally later in the day. Lingering wind slabs will also become more sensitive as the day progresses. It is recommended that backcountry travel be limited to the morning hours and to be conscious of terrain that might be impacted if wet slides occurred above a planned route.
Shallow surface slabs with depths of four inches to a foot could be triggered in isolated wind loaded pockets above 9000 feet in steep shaded terrain. Yesterday such a slide was triggered in the Tetons. Pictures and details can be seen on the website.
This afternoon, wet loose avalanche activity could be triggered or release naturally in all snow covered terrain affected by sunlight and warming. Warm temperatures overnight and highs near fifty degrees degrees yesterday will allow deeper penetration into the snowpack and in continuous steep terrain the amount of snow involved could become significant.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )On Saturday, temperatures are to start on the unseasonable warm side. Clouds and west winds are to increase and there is a chance for isolated rain and snow showers in the afternoon as a fast moving weak system moves through. Mountain highs are to again reach well into the forties. The general avalanche hazard will be Low in the early morning and quickly rise to Moderate by afternoon as thin morning surface crusts soften and the possibility for wet slides develops. Wet slides are unpredictable and backcountry travellers are encouraged to recreate early and to be out of avalanche terrain by the afternoon.
