The potential continues for backcountry riders and skiers to trigger wind slabs in very steep avalanche terrain above 9000 feet. Avalanches are unlikely below that elevation except for small isolated pockets in the steepest terrain.
Winds that veered from the southwest to northeast transported past snowfall into slabs. These slabs lie on a variety of aspects with depths of one to two feet at the high elevations and could be released by the weight of a single person. These slabs can be found in very steep rocky areas and will generally have the appearance of a wind loaded feature.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Friday looks to be mostly clear in the morning with increasing afternoon clouds as a weak system approaches. This system is not expected to bring significant snowfall but will break down the inversion conditions. Valley temperatures should be slightly warmer tomorrow morning and mountain temperatures are to reach the upper teens to low twenties. The general avalanche hazard will be moderate above 9000 and low below that elevation. At the higher elevations wind slabs with depths to two feet lie on a variety of aspects. In the Togwotee Pass area weak snow persists near the base of the snowpack on high north facing slopes where deeper failures are possible.
