Above 8500 feet the general avalanche hazard is Moderate where surface slabs formed by wind lie on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be released by a single rider or skier. A slight potential also persists at the high elevations to trigger older hard slabs that lie upon hard crusts formed in early December. Avalanches are unlikely below 8500 feet except for in small isolated pockets in the very steep terrain.
Winds that veered from the southwest to the northeast and then back to the west have transported recent snow into surface slabs on a variety of aspects. These slabs are likely to be hard and could have depths to one foot.
Above 9000 feet, faceted snow lies upon wind pack and sun crusts formed during the early December dry period. There, skiers and riders have some potential to trigger persistent hard slabs up to an additional three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Saturday looks to be mostly dry through the daylight hours in advance of another system that is to impact the area Saturday night. Temperatures will be similar to today with highs near ten degrees at 9000 feet. Cloud cover will increase and winds will back to the west then southwest with fifteen to twenty five mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 8500 feet and Low below that elevation. Recently formed wind slabs to one foot depth could be triggered in steep wind loaded terrain. A chance also persists to trigger older weaknesses above 9000 feet on North facing slopes in the Togwotee pass areas and on southerly slopes in the Teton Area and the Southwest Trails areas.
