At the higher elevations skiers and riders could trigger pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches in depth. Today's warm temperatures may increase the sensitivity of the slabs to human triggers. Deep slab avalanches continue to be a threat for snowmobilers who climb steep avalanche prone slopes. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
Although the likelihood of triggering a deep hard slab avalanche is low, the consequences remain severe. These dangerous hard slab avalanches could be three to five feet deep and are most likely to be triggered by a snowmachine. Previous tracks may not be an indication of stability.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )During the next 24 hours weak disturbances will continue to past over the region in a westerly flow. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy with periods of light to moderate snowfall and snow shower activity. A couple of inches of new snow are possible overnight and during the afternoon. Winds will back to the southwest and increase ahead of an approaching storm system. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Periods of light snowfall and increasing winds will further the development of wind slabs at the upper elevations. Up there slab avalanches up to two feet in depth could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche prone terrain. In the Teton Range the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) and LOW below that elevation. In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 8,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. In those areas there is also some potential for snowmobilers to trigger large dangerous slab avalanches on steep avalanche prone slopes.
