Above 8000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger new wind slabs in very steep terrain with depths to ten inches. Although unlikely, a slight chance also remains for deep weaknesses in the snowpack to fail, resulting in very large avalanches. Below 8000 feet the hazard is LOW and avalanche activity is not expected except for in small wet loose slides in very steep terrain.
Backcountry travelers have a slight potential trigger a deep slab avalanche with depths to five feet on steep avalanche prone slopes. These deep slab avalanches are most likely to be triggered by a snowmobile hitting a shallow or weak spot on a slope or by a large cornice failure. Consequences would be severe if a person was caught in one of these large, destructive avalanches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The showery conditions are to continue through tonight and most of Thursday. This means snowfall amounts are hard to predict and are likely to vary even within relatively close distances. In favored areas at the higher elevations six or more inches of snow could fall. Below 8000 feet potential moisture could start as rain before returning to snow as temperatures lower tonight. A slight potential for thunderstorms continues through this evening. Highs on Thursday are to reach the mid-twenties at the higher elevations and the upper thirties in the valleys. Winds are to continue to be from the south overnight and then veer to the west during the day. Averages below 20 miles per hour are expected although some showery periods could bring periods of stronger winds.In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard will be Low in the morning and has the potential to increase to Moderate at the mid and high elevations in the afternoon depending on snowfall amounts, wind speeds and temperatures that occur. In the Togwotee and Southwest Trails areas, the danger will be moderate at higher elevations where the deep slab problem that first developed in December continues to pose a threat to backcountry travelers.
