The loading by todays new snow and gusty winds will increase the potential for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slabs.
Persistent slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon weak, faceted snow and hard snow surfaces which formed during the January dry period. These slabs could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep, avalanche prone terrain. The snow pack remains shallow below an altitude of 7,500 feet and therefor avalanches are unlikely below that elevation.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light density snow is expected to fall from mostly cloudy skies overnight and through the day on Wednesday. Accumulations of several inches are likely overnight and again on Wednesday. Winds will be northwesterly at 15 to 20 miles per hour and will easily transport the new light density snow onto leeward aspects along the higher ridge crests. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the mountains and rise into the 20s in the valleys.Unstable conditions persist and the hazard is expected to be increasing. Soft slabs up to three feet in depth lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow and could be human triggered on steep slopes in all of our forecast areas on a variety of aspects and elevations. Natural avalanches are possible especially in the Greys River/Southwest Trails Forecast Area where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE. A MODERATE but increasing avalanche hazard in expected in the Teton and Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide Trails areas.
