Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small to large pockets of wind slab on steep, wind-loaded slopes. In terrain that is sheltered from the wind, the chance of triggering loose snow sluffs will increase as the day warms on sunlit aspects. Monitor the effect of the sun on the snowpack and avoid wind affected terrain. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet. Evaluate the snowpack carefully in these areas. The snowpack is mostly stable below 8,000 feet, and avalanches are unlikely except for in isolated pockets in very steep terrain.
Strong northwesterly to northerly ridgetop winds have redistributed light density snow that fell earlier in the week. On a variety of aspects above 8,000 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger wind slabs ranging in depth from one to two feet in steep terrain that has recent deposits of wind affected snow.
A slight chance continues for skiers and riders to trigger persistent deep slab avalanches on northwesterly through northeasterly aspects above 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, large cornice drops and groups of people are more likely to be able to impact the weak, faceted snow near the base of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect partly cloudy to mostly clear skies along with inverted temperatures on Saturday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low single digits before rising into the mid teens during the day. The valleys will plummet to near negative 10 before rebounding into the mid teens in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet on Saturday. There, backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind-loaded terrain could trigger similar wind slabs to today’s events. Slab depths are expected to range from 6 to 24 inches with the Togwotee Pass area on the shallower end of the spectrum. Sluffing of the recent snowfall will also be possible on slopes not affected by the wind. The chance remains for skiers and riders to trigger full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet in the Togwotee Pass forecast zone. While these persistent deep slab avalanches are unlikely in the Greys River area, they still warrant mention due to their severe consequences.
