At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders have the potential to trigger recently formed wind slabs in steep avalanche terrain. A slight potential also remains for heavy loads to cause large avalanches to occur deep within the snowpack. Avalanche activity below 7500 feet is not expected today.
Soft slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet in depth could be triggered by skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche starting zones, cliff areas and steep couloirs. The chance of triggering these events will increase today as slabs are weakened by warming temperatures and direct sunlight that could last into the early afternoon.
Although it has become unlikely to trigger such an event in the Tetons, a slight chance exists to trigger deep weaknesses that were buried in December. Failure of this layer is likely to involve large triggers such as a piece of falling cornice or a snowmachine hitting a part of terrain where the snowpack is thinner and the weakness is more accessible.
A series of short wave low pressure troughs are to bring periods of snow to the mountains tonight and Friday. Accumulations of two to six inches are expected at the higher elevations. Temperatures are to remain in the upper teens at high elevations where southwest winds will have averages between twenty and thirty miles per hour. The general avalanche danger will be rated Moderate above 7500 feet. Wind slabs to depths of three feet could still be triggered in very steep wind loaded starting zones and near unsupported slopes above cliff areas. Deep slabs also remain a threat, particularly in the Togwotee and Southwest Trails forecast areas where the weak layer buried in December is more susceptible to failure. Avalanches are not expected below an elevation of 7500 feet.
