Shallow pockets of new soft slab are forming. As the day progresses, these slabs will gain depth and volume, and the likelihood of triggering them will increase. On northerly aspects above 9,000 feet, a slight chance remains to trigger full depth avalanches. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully. Below 7,500 feet, precipitation was in the form of rain and snow, and shallow wet slides could become possible at or below the rain line.
The chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. It may require larger triggers such as snow machines or groups of people to cause this failure.
New wind slabs are forming upon a variety of snow surfaces which include sun crusts, surface hoar and settle powder. Just below these surfaces, stout rain crusts exist on all aspects up to 9,000 to 9,500 feet. The chance to trigger these slabs will increase as they gain depth and volume. By this evening, slab depths could range from 6 to 12 inches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A moist, Pacific trough will bring periods of snowfall to the mountains overnight and into Sunday afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the upper 20s during the day. There, precipitation will remain in the form of snow. The valleys will dip below freezing by daybreak on Sunday before climbing into the mid 30s during the day, and a mix of rain and snow will be possible as the day warms. Southerly ridgetop winds will veer to the southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate Sunday morning and will rise during the day as additional snowfall accumulates. Skiers and riders could trigger shallow pockets of newly developed soft slab in leeward avalanche terrain near ridgelines. In the Togwotee Pass area, a slight chance may persist to trigger full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet.
