Backcountry riders and skiers have the potential to trigger slab avalanches today. Moderate danger indicates that these slabs require the weight of a backcountry skier or rider to initiate them and that they are not likely to release naturally. The snowpack is weak, and careful evaluation of the snowpack and terrain is necessary today.
Persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack. These layers formed during cold dry periods that were buried on December 8th and Janurary 5th. These slabs could fail from the weight of a single person. Larger loads, such as groups of people or snowmachines, are more likely to trigger one of these events.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Steady snowfall will continue through midnight before becoming intermittent during the day on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper teens before rising back into the low 20s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will veer to the northwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate on Sunday. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain could trigger newly developed soft slabs six to twelve inches deep. Some chance persists to trigger deeper slabs that formed during the last storm cycle. These slides could be up to three feet deep. Faceted snow near the base of the snowpack remains a concern in the Togwotee Pass area. In the Tetons and the Greys River area, a very slight chance persists for avalanche activity on these basal facets.
