Above 9,000 feet, new snow and moderate wind speeds continue to load slopes and form slabs, it will be possible for backcountry travelers to trigger slab avalanches 10 to 18 inches deep. During periods of heavy snowfall rates and stronger wind speeds, skiers and riders should monitor conditions for increasing hazard as peak loading occurs. Backcountry travelers should assess conditions for wind loading as well as buried weak layers and good sliding surfaces.
Moderate southwesterly winds with higher ridgetop gusts are expected to continue through today. These conditions have transported snow onto leeward slopes and formed wind slabs. Backcountry travelers should monitor conditions as these slabs continue to build throughout the day and become more sensitive to triggers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A transitory ridge will build over the region tonight. Then by early morning tomorrow, the upper-level flow is expected to back to the southwest as a Pacific cold front approaches Western Wyoming. Snowfall will develop from the south to the north and continue through tomorrow tapering off by the afternoon. Accumulations are expected to favor the Tetons with 4 to 6 inches and 2 to 4 inches are expected in the surrounding mountains. Mountain temperatures will start in the teens and warm into the twenties. Ridgetop winds will be westerly at 10 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet in the Tetons and above 9,000 feet in the Grey’s River/Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass/ Continental Divide forecast areas. As the new snow and moderate winds continue to load slopes and form slabs, it will be possible for backcountry travelers to trigger slab avalanches 1 to 2 feet deep. In areas where the new snow lies upon stout crusts or snow that lacks cohesion, these slides could entrain snow increasing in size. Backcountry travelers should assess slopes for wind loading and buried weak layers. At the mid and lower elevations in the Tetons, loose snow sluffing could easily gain momentum on steep slopes with significant vertical relief.
