At the upper elevations isolated pockets of shallow wind slab less than a foot deep could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Deep hard slabs could also be triggered in some active avalanche paths at the upper elevations. Warming temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. Sun balling and shallow, wet point slides are possible on very steep sunlit slopes.
Layers of weak faceted snow are buried 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 east to south. The potential to trigger one of these dangerous slides will increase as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next storm system is spinning off of the west coast. Moisture ahead of that system is limited; however shallow stratus clouds may produce areas of light snowfall overnight and on Thursday. Accumulations of less than an inch are possible. On Thursday skies will be partly sunny. The freezing level is anticipated to rise to an elevation of 11,000 feet. Temperatures will rise well into the 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys. Winds will continue from the west-southwest at speeds of around 20 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Thursday. At the upper elevations small pockets of dense wind slab with depths to a foot could be human triggered in steep terrain. In isolated areas of the Togwotee Pass and Greys River forecast areas some potential may remain for humans to trigger deep hard slab avalanches on buried persistent layers of faceted snow. Warm temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these shallow surface slabs and deep hard slabs to human triggers.
