Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist above an elevation of 7,500 feet. Large human triggered slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by the weight of a person on steep slopes. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
New snow and wind continue to load a snowpack with poor structure that is unstable. Large human triggered slab avalanches with depths to four feet are very likely to be triggered in steep terrain above an elevation of 7,500 feet. These dangerous slabs will fail on buried layers of faceted snow and could propagate long distances across terrain barriers.
New surface slabs up to two feet in depth could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes. These slabs were formed by west to southwest winds and at the mid and upper elevations could step down into weak old snow layers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will continue overnight and into the day with another five to ten inches of accumulation possible by Thursday morning. Winds will be west to southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour with higher gusts. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens at 10,000 feet and in the teens and low 20s in the valleys. A large load has been placed on a snowpack with poor structure. Gusty winds will continue to load leeward slopes. Dangerous unstable conditions exist, especially in areas where extensive faceted old snow persists beneath the new snow that has accumulated during the past 10 days. Large human triggered slab avalanches are likely. Natural avalanche activity is possible. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH in the Togwotee Pass and the Greys River areas and CONSIDERABLE in the Teton area.
