The avalanche danger is Moderate at the upper elevations today. Triggering an old wind slab is becoming less likely but remains possible on steep wind loaded slopes above 8,000 feet. Up to 3” of snow fell overnight with strong winds and have formed small wind loaded pockets on lee aspects. It is not likely that this new load will overcome the strength of the older wind slabs. Evaluate loaded terrain features and the snowpack carefully. In the high elevations on steep, sheltered slopes loose dry sluffs may be encountered. These will be small but can become dangerous in consequential terrain. Below 7,500 feet travel conditions will be difficult due to rain that fell yesterday evening. Temperatures did cool overnight, but you may find wet, unsupportive snow as the day warms. Post holing in wet snow deeper than the boot cuff is a sign that the snowpack is becoming weak. Below 7,500 feet the avalanche danger will be Low but could increase as the wet snow loses cohesion.
Wind slabs up to three feet thick have formed over the last week. Look for signs of drifted snow that can be identified by a smooth, rounded appearance. These may be found below ridge tops, in cross loaded gullies and at the base of cliff faces. Shooting cracks and hollow sounding snow are signs that the snow is unstable. Do not over commit to loaded terrain features without careful evaluation.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow showers will start back up this evening with 2-4” possible before morning in all forecast areas. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with temperatures rising into the mid to high twenties near 9,000 feet. Winds will veer from the south southwest to the west and average in the low twenties. With new snow and moderate winds overnight, the avalanche danger will remain steady. Wind transported snow may form small pockets of fresh wind slab on leeward aspects. Overall, the snowpack is slowly stabilizing. Triggering an old wind slab is becoming less likely but it remains possible on steep wind loaded slopes above 9,000 feet. It will take continuous days of mild temperatures and no new load for these slabs to be taken off the table. The warming effects from today will make loose dry avalanches unlikely tomorrow except in high, cold, sheltered pockets. Tomorrow the avalanche danger will be Moderate above 7,500 feet in the Tetons and above 8,000 feet in the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas. Below those elevation bands the danger will be Low.
