Low hazard does not mean no hazard. While relatively small, recently developed wind slabs have the potential to sweep skiers and riders over cliff bands or into terrain traps at the upper elevations. Any extended periods of sunshine will make these slides more susceptible to failure, and bring about a chance for sluffing of the new snow. Repeated melt/freeze cycles have created a mostly stable snowpack below the old snow surface from Wednesday.
Backcountry travelers venturing into very steep, wind loaded terrain above 9,000 feet could trigger isolated pockets of wind slab six to eighteen inches in depth. These slabs rest upon firm sliding surfaces.
Expect continued precipitation overnight, mainly in the form of snow. During the day, snow will transition to rain at the lower elevations. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be in the mid 20s before rising into the low 30s during the day. Southerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW on Saturday. Low hazard does not mean no hazard. Skiers and riders venturing into very steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain above 9,000 feet in the Tetons could trigger isolated pockets of wind slabs six to eighteen inches in depth. While relatively small, these slides have the potential to carry backcountry travelers over cliff bands or into terrain traps. In the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas, where less new snow has fallen, the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely.
