The snowpack is unstable on steep slopes. Conditions are conducive for an avalanche accident involving people who are recreating in avalanche terrain. Excellent terrain evaluation skills and a conservative approach to steep slopes and the run out zones beneath these slopes are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Persistent unstable slabs up to four feet in depth lie upon weak layers of faceted snow. These dangerous slabs are likely to be easily triggered by humans and could release naturally. The potential for avalanches to occur will increase as air temperatures warm and sunshine heats up suspect slopes. Some steep slopes may be crossed multiple times before a weak spot is encountered and the slope fails.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A disturbance moving south in the northwest flow is forecast to bring another one to three inches of new snow to the mountains overnight. Clearing skies are expected on Friday with temperatures rising into the 20s in the mountains and into the 30s in the valleys. Winds will be northwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Instabilities persist in the snowpack in all of our forecast areas and are most prevalent in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area. In steep terrain surface slabs formed by the recent northwest winds and persistent slabs present a significant hazard to backcountry users. Slab avalanches up to four feet in depth could be triggered by humans who venture into avalanche prone terrain. The potential for natural avalanche activity to occur is greatest in the Southwest Trails area but will increase in all areas as air temperatures warm and the sun heats up suspect slopes. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE in the Southwest Trails area and at the upper elevations of the Teton and Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass areas.
