Backcountry travelers could trigger newly and recently developed wind slabs. Skiers and riders could also trigger persistent slabs, which carry much higher consequences. These dangerous slabs could also fail by stepping down from the release of a wind slab. This scenario demands respect and a conservative approach to travel and terrain choices.
Yesterday, a fast moving disturbance brought strong westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds and six to eight inches of new snow. This weather system formed new winds slabs up to a foot deep. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs, along with older wind slabs up to three feet deep, in steep wind-loaded starting zones.
Buried layers of weak snow persist at all elevations. Slabs that lie upon these weak layers could be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers today. These slabs could have depths of four to eight feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly cloudy skies and periods of light snowfall tonight and tomorrow. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the teens during the day. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 25 to 35 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations of the Tetons, and in both the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas. Strong winds, combined with the possibility for new snow and ample snow available for transport, will continue to build wind slabs in exposed terrain. Backcountry travelers could trigger soft slabs one to three feet deep in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain. These slides have the potential to step down to persistent weak layers buried deep within the snowpack.
