While the threat of avalanches is slowly decreasing, conditions remain dangerous. On very steep, avalanche prone slopes above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger recently developed, small to large wind slabs. Additionally, large to very large deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger shallow slides involving the recent snowfall along with small to large persistent slabs below 7,500 feet. As the day warms, sunshine could increase the likelihood of avalanche activity on solar aspects. Continue to make conservative terrain choices, and stay off of large cornices and away from the terrain below them.
Recently developed, dense wind slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders on a variety of aspects in very steep, avalanche prone terrain. Above 7,500 feet, these slabs could range in depth from one to three feet, and be up to 18 inches deep below 7,500 feet.
Poor snowpack structure is widespread on Togwotee Pass, and the weight of a single person is still sufficient to trigger a deep persistent slab avalanche. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure, are more likely than an individual skier to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. Slab depths are likely to vary from three to six feet at the higher elevations and one to three feet at the lower elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Following a chance for a few light flurries overnight, skies will be partly cloudy to mostly sunny on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near zero before rising into the low teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.While the threat of avalanches is slowly decreasing, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable on Sunday. In steep, avalanche prone terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to three feet. Deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, the release of a wind slab or a cornice failure, are more likely than an individual skier to trigger one of these deadly avalanches. In the Tetons, these slabs could range from four to eight feet deep, and slab depths in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones are likely to vary from three to six feet. Shallow slides involving the recent snowfall, along with persistent slabs up to four feet deep, could be triggered below 7,500 feet. As the day warms, sunshine could increase the likelihood of avalanche activity on solar aspects. Continue to make conservative terrain choices, and stay off of large cornices and away from the terrain below them.
