Warming temperatures and sunshine will be a primary factor again today. By this afternoon, skiers and riders will have the potential to trigger pockets of wind slab up to two feet in depth in very steep terrain above 8500 feet, particularly in and around cliff areas. An outside chance also remains for heavy loads to trigger large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches above 8,000 feet. Below 8,000 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely. Be sure to consider variables such as aspect relative to time of day and avoid exposure to large cornices for safe backcountry travel.
Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche in isolated terrain above 8,000 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in areas where the snowpack is shallow. Cornice failures and other large triggers, such as snowmobiles or the release of a wind slab, will be possible candidates to initiate one of these dangerous avalanches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Conditions will continue to be mostly dry. Temperatures will drop into the teens tonight and rise into the 20s and 30s during the day. Winds will be light and variable. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas were large deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth could still be triggered by snowmobilers who climb very steep slopes. In the Teton area the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the early morning hours and increase to MODERATE during the warmest portion of the day. In all areas, small pockets of wind slab could be triggered in upper elevation avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Large cornices exist and may become unstable. Large cornice failures could trigger dangerous deep slabs avalanches.
