At the mid and upper elevations, there is a slight chance for backcountry skiers, riders, and hikers to trigger recently formed small, isolated pockets of soft slabs in steep, wind loaded terrain. Although small, these slabs could still knock someone over and carry them into rocks or trees. The snowpack at low elevations remains too shallow for avalanche danger.
On isolated terrain features in high, steep slopes, a slight chance exists for humans to trigger wind slabs. These slabs lie upon faceted snow and could have depths up to 12 inches. New snow will increase their sensitivity and will form new shallow soft slabs.
On Saturday, the rapid loading of warm dense snow that was accompanied by very strong winds created a brief period of sensitive avalanche conditions. Over two inches of moisture was associated with that storm in the Tetons with the Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass areas receiving lesser amounts. This storm fell on a shallow settled snowpack topped with faceted snow and surface hoar. In some areas, crusts can also be found near the faceted layer. Although sensitive on Saturday, that warm and heavy snow is settling, and slab failure is becoming harder to initiate. Keep your guard up as weak snow is still present as indicated by the collapse that can be found in the mountains above 8500’. This week is forecasted to bring 2 days of warm and wet snow followed by colder and drier snowfall on Thursday and Friday. Avalanche danger will increase at the upper elevations as the early season snowpack is further loaded.
