Skiers and riders could trigger recently formed wind slabs on steep avalanche prone slopes at all elevations. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully and identify areas of concern.
Recent north to west winds have created wind slabs on leeward slopes. These slabs could be human triggered on steep wind loaded slopes with depths to two feet. These slabs have been especially active in the Cliff Creek and Hoback Canyon areas where several avalanche events occurred on Saturday and slabs were reported to be sensitive to ski cuts on Sunday.
A slight chance continues for snowmobilers to trigger persistent 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. )Clouds and winds are forecast to be on the increase as some Pacific moisture begins to move into the region. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens in the morning and rise into the 20s. Winds will be westerly at 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour. Light snowfall will begin to move into the northern portions of our forecast area by evening.In all forecast areas pockets of wind slab up to 24 inches in depth could be human triggered on steep slopes that have been recently loaded by north to west winds. Full depth slab avalanches are unlikely but remain a concern in isolated areas on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet in the Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass forecast areas. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.
