A buried layer of faceted snow may continue to present a lingering concern in steep, active avalanche paths above 9,000 feet. In similar areas, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an old wind slab up to 18 inches in depth. In the higher elevations, strong westerly ridgetop winds combined with dense snowfall to produce isolated pockets of wind slab three to six inches deep in leeward terrain.
In isolated areas, a layer of weak, faceted snow persists near the base of the snowpack, and skiers and riders might be able to trigger a hard slab up to 40 inches deep in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. This weak layer would most likely be found in the eastern portion of the forecast zone, which is in the rain shadow of the Salt River Range and has less snow.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of snowfall will decrease in intensity overnight before mostly dry conditions develop on Sunday. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be in the teens before rising into the 20s in the afternoon. Strong westerly ridgetop winds at 30 to 45 miles per hour will continue overnight before decreasing to 15 to 25 during the day. On Sunday, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in the Tetons. Pockets of shallow wind slab up to a foot deep could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep, wind-loaded terrain above 9,000 feet. While relatively small, these slides have the potential to sweep backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps. In isolated areas in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast zones, the chance of triggering deep persistent slabs will linger. There, the general avalanche hazard will remain Moderate.
