Soft slabs formed yesterday when heavy snowfall was loaded onto to leeward slopes by winds from the southwest to west. These slabs will be sensitive to backcountry travelers at all elevations today in areas where wind loading has occurred. Slabs formed earlier in the week during periods of very strong winds could also be triggered today. Deep hard slabs also continue to be a potential hazard in steep north facing terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Identify and avoid features of concern where this loading has occurred and be respectful of areas where the deep slab hazard may linger.
Soft to hard slabs could be triggered on all elevations and aspects today. These slabs lie over surface hoar and faceted snow in most terrain, and in high exposed terrain, lie upon hard snow surfaces. These slabs could have depths to two feet.
A slight chance continues for snowmobilers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches in isolated areas on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is to continue through this evening. On Friday, periods of snowfall are likely as generally drier air moves through. Accumulations of approximately four more inches are possible overnight with one to three inches expected during the day. Temperatures are to be slightly warmer with mountain highs in the twenties and valleys reaching into the thirties.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable on Friday. Wind slabs are increasing in size at all elevations and lie upon hard snow surfaces in open exposed terrain at higher elevations and on faceted snow and surface hoar in most other terrain. These slabs will be present on wind loaded features in all forecast areas and all elevations. Slab depths could be over two feet tomorrow in locations that the storm has favored with higher snowfall amounts. In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas, the chance for larger triggers to cause failure deep within the snowpack exists in high north facing terrain.
