The first sunny day over an extended period will provide the ability for backcountry enthusiasts to get into avalanche terrain that has not seen traffic in many days. Caution is advised as recently formed wind slabs lie in steep avalanche terrain, particularly at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be triggered by riders and skiers today, particularly in the afternoon when warming and direct sunlight weaken them and they become more susceptible to human triggers.
Strong west to north winds have formed wind slabs on leeward slopes at all elevations. These slabs could be triggered with depths up to three feet at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs could be soft or hard, will increase in sensitivity during the afternoon, and once triggered could involve deeper wind slab layers. At low elevations, isolated pockets of slab could be triggered this afternoon.
Another storm is on track to impact the area late on Thursday. During the day, expect increasing clouds and developing snow showers. Snow may be mixed with rain at the lower elevations. High temperatures in the mountains are to be in the upper twenties. West winds are to have average speeds near twenty miles per hour in the morning, increasing to thirty miles per hour by the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the Teton and Southwest Trails areas. In the Tetons, wind slabs could be triggered with depths to three feet in very steep and aggressive terrain. Similar events could also be triggered in the Southwest Trails area where the chance also continues for larger loads such as snowmachines to trigger old dangerous hard slabs with depths to six feet. In the Togwotee Pass area, the hazard remains Considerable. Avalanches will be easier to trigger in a shallower snowpack that developed very poor structure during dry periods early in the season. Human triggered avalanches to five feet are possible on a variety of aspects.
