The general avalanche hazard remains MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. At the higher elevations, the chance may persist for humans to trigger deep instabilities in the snowpack in a few steep avalanche paths as well as loose snow sluffing in steep terrain. Slab avalanches are not expected below an elevation of 9,000 feet. As the day warms, expect sun balling and very small wet slides involving only the new snow in steep terrain.
Weak faceted snow layers are preserved 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 southeast. These slabs will become more sensitive as they are quickly warmed today by increasing temperatures and direct sunlight.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another weak disturbance will bring the chance for periods of light snow tonight through Thursday morning. Periods of sun are expected during the afternoon when temperatures in the mountains are to reach the mid-thirties. Southwest winds are to have ten to twenty mile per hour averages.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in the Tetons where a mostly stable snowpack exists. Avalanche activity will be limited to loose snow sluffing or small very soft slabs in steep wind loaded terrain features. In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas the hazard will be Moderate. In these areas, in addition to the loose new snow hazard, a slight chance continues for slabs to fail on weak snow deep in the snowpack. This hazard exists only above 9,000 feet in some steep avalanche paths.
