Persistent slabs continue to pose a serious threat to backcountry travelers. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making will be necessary for travel in avalanche terrain. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger shallow pockets of wind slab and loose snow sluffs on steep, wind loaded slopes. These slides will become more likely on sunlit aspects as the day progresses.
Hard slabs up to three feet deep lie upon weak, faceted snow. Yesterday's snowfall added weight to the underlying weak layers, making these slides more susceptible to failure. These persistent slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche prone terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )An additional one to three inches of new snow could accumulate overnight and into Sunday. Skies will be mostly cloudy, but periods of sunshine are possible. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low single digits before rising into the teens during the day. Ridgetop winds will veer to the northwest and increase to 15 to 25 miles per hour overnight before decreasing during the day.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Sunday in the Tetons. Shifting ridgetop winds will redistribute the new light density snow, building wind slabs on exposed slopes. Backcountry travelers could trigger these slabs up to 18 inches deep in steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain. Loose snow sluffs will also remain a concern. Any extended periods of sunshine will make these slides more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects.Persistent slabs up to three feet in depth continue to pose a threat to skiers and riders in the Greys River and Togwotee Pass areas. In the Togwotee Pass area, the General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE. The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE in the Greys River area where these slabs are more widespread and easier to trigger. Today's new snow also added some weight to the underlying weak layers.
