Above 8,500 feet, backcountry travelers venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger large slab avalanches in areas that held snow from October. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of newly developed, shallow wind slab on very steep, wind-loaded slopes near upper elevation ridgelines. The likelihood of triggering these slides, along with shallow wet loose sluffs, could increase on sunlit aspects as the day warms. If snow surfaces start to become damp, transition to shaded terrain. The snowpack is mostly stable below 8,500 feet.
Large slab avalanches, up to three feet deep at the higher elevations, could be human triggered on old snow surfaces from October. Be suspect of avalanche-prone slopes on northwesterly to easterly aspects at the upper elevations and northerly aspects down to an elevation of 8,500 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in mostly shaded terrain where the old snow surfaces experienced more faceting.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak, transitory ridge of high pressure will move overhead on Sunday resulting in dry conditions and mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising to near 30 during the day. Westerly to southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE between 8,500 and 10,500 feet, and LOW below 8,500 feet. Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a large persistent slab avalanche two to four feet deep in steep, avalanche prone terrain that held snow from October. These slides would be more likely to occur in mostly shaded terrain where the old snow surfaces experienced more faceting. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of newly developed, shallow wind slab on very steep, wind loaded slopes near upper elevation ridgelines. Climbers and ski mountaineers that are planning to be above 10,500 feet in the Tetons need to remember that the old snow surfaces from October continually expand their extent into sunlit aspects with a gain in elevation.
