Inverted temperatures remain in place with the mountains around 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the valleys. Skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering small to large slab avalanches in steep, avalanche prone terrain above 8,000 feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be necessary to initiate one of these slabs. As the day warms, these slabs will become more susceptible to failure, and shallow wet slides will become possible on steep, sunlit aspects. Valley temperatures are forecasted to rise to near 40 degrees, and small wet slides could also occur below 8,000 feet on steep, sunlit slopes in the afternoon. Monitor warming temperatures and the sun’s impact on snow surfaces, and transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces start to become damp.
Slab avalanches with depths ranging from one to two feet could be triggered by backcountry travelers above 8,000 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in very steep chutes, cliff areas and beneath cornices. Today's sunshine and rising temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Clear skies overnight will be followed by increasing cloud cover in the afternoon as a Pacific low pressure system approaches the area from the northwest. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near zero before rising into the mid-20s in the afternoon. The valleys will drop into the single digits before rebounding into the upper 30s in the afternoon. Northerly ridgetop winds will back to the west and increase to 15 to 25 miles per hour.In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low on Sunday. Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep on very steep terrain features. The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails forecast zones. In these areas, skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering pockets of slab ranging in depth from one to two feet in steep, avalanche prone terrain above 8,000 feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be necessary to initiate one of these slabs. If skies remain mostly sunny into the afternoon, these slabs may become more susceptible to failure, and small wet slides could become possible on steep, sunlit aspects at all elevations.
