Soft wind slabs lie in the backcountry above 8000 feet. These slabs could be triggered today by backcountry riders and skiers, particularly in terrain near ridge crests or cliff areas where wind loading typically occurs. Failure of deeper weak layers in the snow is unlikely. Yesterday a skier suffered injuries when he triggered an avalanche in the Spoon Couloir in GTNP. Events in similar extreme terrain are likely today. Careful evaluation of travel routes and the snowpack is essential. Below 8000 feet, avalanches are unlikely and the chance for activity is limited to isolated pockets in very steep terrain.
Over the last several days, strong winds have blown from the northeast, the northwest, and the west. These winds have aided in the formation of soft slabs in steep avalanche terrain prone to wind loading. These slabs could be triggered with depths to two feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mostly cloudy skies with periods of light snow are expected tonight through the day on Friday. West-northwest winds are to have ten to twenty mile per hour averages. Temperatures are to be warmer with highs near twenty degrees expected. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate on Friday. Wind slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered in steep wind loaded terrain above 8500 feet, particularly in snow loaded areas near cliffs and high ridges. Old persistent weaknesses exist in the snowpack. Activity involving these layers would be most likely occur in the Togwotee Pass area where the snowpack structure is poor and large slides could be triggered by the weight of a single person. Failure of deep layers in the Southwest Trails area may still be possible and deep failure in the Tetons in considered very unlikely at this time.
