Areas of instability exist. Human triggered slab avalanches are possible on steep slopes in areas with poor snowpack structure due to buried persistent weak layers. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully. We are sad to report that there was an avalanche fatality yesterday on Mt. Leidy in the Togwotee Pass area. A snowmobiler was caught, buried and did not survive. Avalanche specialist from the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center will investigate this incident today.
In steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches on buried persistent weak layers. These slab avalanches could be one to three feet deep. At the lower elevations recent new snow lies upon well developed faceted snow. In these areas small pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches in deep could be human triggered on isolated terrain features.
Snowfall will decrease overnight. Skies will be mostly sunny on Friday with temperatures in the 20s and light northerly winds. In areas with poor snow structure unstable snow exists on steep slopes. In these locations recent new snow lies upon a base of well-developed faceted snow. These conditions can be found at the lower elevations and at higher elevations where the snowpack is still fairly shallow. In areas with a deeper snowpack buried persistent weak layers could still be a problem on some steep terrain features. Large slab avalanches with depths to three feet can be triggered by humans on some steep slopes. The general avalanche hazard is moderate. Evaluate terrain and the snowpack carefully.
