Snowmobilers or skiers who venture into steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones, large bowls, chutes and very steep terrain features have the potential to trigger avalanches. Above 9000 feet, the chance continues to trigger very large, deep hard slab avalanches in steep north facing terrain. Pockets of wind slab formed during last week's storm can still be found at all elevations, particularly in steep terrain not affected by sunshine and recent warm inversion conditions. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern.
Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slabs formed during recent snowfall that was accompanied by strong southwest to west winds. These slabs could have depths to thirty inches at the higher elevations and are most likely to be found near cliff areas and chutes but could also be found in any very steep unskied terrain including treed areas.
A chance continues for backcountry travelers to trigger large, destructive deep slab avalanches that could involve the full depth of the snowpack. The weak snow associated with this problem lies on northwest through northeast aspects above 9000 feet. Triggering one of these is likely to lake larger triggers such as a snow machine or a group of riders.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is to develop on Thursday morning. This system is weak compared to what has been impacting us this year. By Friday afternoon, four to six inches of snow is expected at the higher elevations with up to two inches at the lower elevations. Mountain temperatures on Thursday are to hold in the upper teens. Southwest winds are to have five to fifteen mile per hour averages.The general avalanche hazard will be Low in the Tetons on Thursday and Moderate in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest trails areas. In steep untracked areas, the chance continues to trigger wind slabs formed during last week’s storm. These slabs will most prevalent in the Southwest Trails area where they could have depths to thirty inches. The chance to trigger deep hard slabs also continues in the Southwest Trails and even more so in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Tetons, the triggering of these deep weaknesses has become very unlikely and is being dropped as a current avalanche problem but could return if truly large and sustained storm hits the area. This is the first time since November that the Teton rating will be Low at all elevations. Remember that low does not mean no hazard exists. Isolated pockets of hazard exist at all elevations and thoughtful route finding and terrain selection remains prudent.
