A buried layer of weak, faceted snow maintains the possibility of human triggered slab avalanches in steep terrain. New snow and westerly winds have developed soft slabs on steep, lee slopes at higher elevations. Conservative terrain choices are advised.
Dangerous slab avalanches up to three feet in depth could be triggered by people on steep slopes. New surface slabs to a foot in depth could be human released on steep lee slopes. The new slabs rest on slick wind pack and sun crusts and came with poorly bonding graupel snow. Triggered surface slides have the potential to pull out the deeper slabs.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snow is possible overnight with flurries possible Monday before a dry ridge of high pressure moves into the area Monday evening. Temperatures at 9,000 feet will be in the single digits in the morning then warm to the mid teens. Winds will continue at 25 miles per hour from the west overnight then slow to 10 miles per hour from the north to northwest by late Monday morning.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Monday backcountry travelers in the Tetons and Southwest Trails/Greys River areas will have the potential to easily trigger firm wind slabs to 18 inches in depth on steep, lee slopes particularly near ridge crests or areas with good cross-loading. Temperatures will be low Monday but be alert to poorly bonding graupel on smooth crusts. Periods of sunshine will also increase the chance of triggering slabs and sloughs on sunlit aspects.In the Greys River/Southwest Trails area and The Togwotee Pass area weak snow at the base of the snowpack still holds the potential for users to trigger persistent slabs to three feet in depth on steep slopes.
