Humans could trigger wind slabs in high elevation terrain and deep persistent slabs in steep terrain above 7,500 feet where old buried weaknesses are preserved. Snowpack evaluation is necessary to see where this weakness continues to pose a threat. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
Deep persistent slab avalanches could be human triggered with depths of three to six feet. Initiation of one of these dangerous slabs my take a larger trigger, such as a snow machine, impacting a weak, thin spot on a slope.
Backcountry travelers venturing onto very steep, wind loaded slopes above 9,000 feet may be able to trigger slabs in steep terrain with depths of one to two feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dryer air and cooler air will move in from the northwest along with some lingering snow showers. On Thursday skies will be partly cloudy. Temperatures will drop into the single digits overnight and rise into the upper teens and 20s during the day. Winds will be from the north at 15 to 25 with gusts to 40 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard will continue to be moderate at the upper elevations of the Teton area and at the mid and upper elevations of the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas. It will be low at the mid and lower elevations of the Teton area and at the lower elevations of the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas. Persistent slabs 3 to 6 feet deep are still a concern in the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas. These dangerous hard slab avalanches could be triggered by snowmachines on very steep avalanche prone slopes. At the higher elevations wind slabs 1 to 2 feet in depth could be triggered by the weight of a single person.
