The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Pockets of new wind slab and denser older slabs could be human triggered in steep avalanche prone terrain, especially by larger triggers such as snowmachines. Warming temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers.
In areas with recent new snow northwest winds have formed pockets of wind slab up to one foot in depth. These slabs could be triggered by humans in steep wind loaded terrain and could step down to deeper layers.
Faceted snow persists in the snowpack. In some areas this weak snow exists as layers while in areas with shallower snow the entire snowpack can be faceted. Slabs resting on these layers can be triggered by backcountry travelers, especially those on snowmobiles. These slabs could be one to three feet in depth and are likely to be larger in size if they are triggered on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The northwest flow will continue to bring some moisture to the region. On Monday skies will be overcast with periods of light snow. Accumulations of several inches are likely at the upper elevations. Temperatures will warm into the 20s. Winds will be westerly at 20 to 25 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the Greys River/Southwest Trails area, at the upper elevations of the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide Trails area and at the mid elevations of the Teton Area. It will be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations of the Teton area and LOW at the lower elevations of the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas. Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain could trigger new soft slabs up to two feet in depth and older, denser slabs one to three feet in depth.
