On partially shaded and shaded slopes above 9,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger pockets of soft slab on avalanche prone slopes. These slabs, lie upon a weak unstable layer of faceted snow and a hard rain crust that formed in October. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 9,000 feet and at the higher elevations on slopes where the October rain crust is absent and recent new snow has accumulated on mostly bare ground.
Pockets of soft slab one to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs were formed by southwest to westerly winds and will fail on a weak layer of faceted snow that lies upon a hard crust.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Atmospheric instability is expected to produce convective snow showers over the mountains tonight. The next upper level disturbance will move into the region during the day. Tonight's snow shower activity is expected to favor the west slope of the Teton Range and the higher elevations where several inches of new snow accumulation or more is likely. Tomorrow’s disturbance should bring another 1 to 5 inches to the region. Temperatures will remain in the teens at the higher elevations, in the 20s at the mid elevations and should rise to near freezing in the valleys during the day. Winds along the high ridge crests will be westerly at 20 to 25 with gusts to 40 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations in the Teton area and MODERATE at the upper elevations of the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails/Grey’s River areas. The hazard is expected to be LOW at the mid and lower elevations. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible at the upper elevations and will be large enough to cause serious injury or death. Shooting cracks and whooping sounds associated with a collapse of a weak layer are signs of instability. Potential exists for dangerous slab avalanches to be remotely triggered from runout zones. A conservative approach to terrain selection is essential in steep terrain where a weak layer of faceted snow peersist on the October rain crust.
