Deep hard slabs might still be able to be triggered in some active avalanche paths above 9,000 feet. Warming temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. Sun balling and shallow, wet point slides are possible on very steep, sunlit slopes.
Layers of weak faceted snow are buried in the snowpack. At the upper elevations, hard slab avalanches with depths to three feet could be triggered by snowmobilers in steep, avalanche-prone slopes that face north through east to south. The potential to trigger one of these dangerous slides will increase as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak Pacific disturbance will quickly move through the region tonight bringing light accumulations of snowfall to the higher elevations. Cloud cover will decrease during the day as this system exits the area. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid 20s before increasing into the mid 30s during the day.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the Tetons on Thursday. Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow wind slab in very steep, avalanche-prone terrain above 9,000 feet. These small slides still have the potential to sweep skiers and riders off their feet and carry them over cliff bands or take them for long rides down very steep, sustained couloirs. As the day warms, the likelihood of triggering these slides will increase on sunlit slopes. Daytime warming will also bring about the possibility of wet loose slides in sun-affected terrain. In isolated areas of the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast zones, some potential may remain for humans to trigger deep hard slab avalanches on buried persistent layers of faceted snow. In those areas, the hazard will remain MODERATE.
