Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger wind slabs in steep, wind-loaded terrain or deeper persistent slabs that lie upon buried weak snow near the ground. The hazard is still significant and Moderate danger indicates that these slabs require the weight of a backcountry skier or rider to initiate them and that they are not likely to release naturally. The snowpack is weak and careful evaluation of the snowpack and terrain is necessary today.
Skiers and riders could trigger recently developed soft wind slabs on all aspects and elevations. At the higher elevations, these slabs could have depths to two feet and fail on old hard surfaces or density breaks within the recent snowfall. Beware of steep terrain with obvious areas of wind loading. Direct sunlight and warming temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs this afternoon.
Above 7,500 feet, hard slabs with depths to four feet lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow. This slabs could fail from the weight of a single person and larger loads, such as groups of people or the release of a wind slab, are more likely to trigger one of these slides. The release of a wind slab could also step down to these basal facets. If triggered, these slabs will carry high consequences.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Broken skies are expected Friday morning with patchy valley fog. Later in the day, expect increasing clouds in advance of the next system to arrive Saturday. Mountain temperatures are to reach near thirty degrees and southwest winds are to have averages between ten and fifteen miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate throughout western Wyoming. Wind slabs could be triggered in steep terrain to depths of three feet. These slabs will be more sensitive to failure in the afternoon when they will be weakened by warm temperatures and periods of sunshine. Although these slabs are not as sensitive as they were earlier in the week, failure from a single skier or rider remains possible in wind loaded areas. The possibility to trigger deeper weaknesses in the snowpack persists. This chance remains highest in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Tetons and Southwest Trails areas, failure of these deep slabs is unlikely but remains possible, particularly to large triggers such as the movement of a surface slab avalanche.
