Conditions are still dangerous. The snowpack is attempting to adjust to the recent new snowfall. Winds at the higher elevations continued to drift snow onto leeward aspects overnight. On steep slopes recently formed wind slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person. In areas where the snow is shallower and has has poor structure large persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by a skier or rider or the release of a surface slab. Expert terrain evaluation and snowpack stability skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
At the higher elevations strong west-northwest winds overnight continued to form wind slabs on leeward aspects. At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could easily large trigger surface slabs on steep avalanche prone slopes. These wind slabs are expected to be one to three feet deep. Humans could trigger smaller slabs on steep terrain features at the lower elevations with depths to 18 inches.
On steep avalanche prone slopes large persistent slab avalanches could fail on buried weak layers of faceted snow. These dangerous slabs could be up to 4 feet deep at the mid and upper elevations and 1 to 3 feet deep at the lower elevations. These slabs could be triggered directly by the weight of a single person or indirectly from the release of a wind slab.
Snowfall will taper off overnight as today’s shortwave exits the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the low 20s during the day on Saturday. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable above 7,500 feet on Saturday. Skiers and riders could easily trigger wind slabs ranging in depth from one to two feet in steep, wind loaded terrain. Persistent weak layers of faceted snow remain a concern, particularly in the Togwotee Pass forecast zone. These persistent slabs might be up to four feet deep, and could either be triggered directly by backcountry travelers or step down from the release of a wind slab. On Saturday, continue to be vigilant with your snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders will have some potential of triggering slab avalanches up to two feet deep.
