Shallow pockets of new soft slab in wind drifted avalanche starting zones and shallow loose snow sluffs in steep terrain sheltered from the wind could be human triggered today. The new snow poses a threat to humans who venture into extreme terrain. Triggering a small avalanche on a hanging snowfield, above a cliff or terrain trap or in a steep chute or rocky area could have severe consequences.
At the upper elevations west to southwest winds will form isolated pockets of new soft slab six to 12 inches deep along the leeward aspects of the higher ridge crests. These pockets of shallow surface slab could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes.
A Pacific storm will bring increasing snowfall to the mountains this evening. The snowfall rate may become heavy at times with up to six inches of accumulation by dawn Monday and another four to six inches during the day. Temperatures will be near ten degrees in the morning and warm to the mid teens during the day. Winds at the ridge crests will be southwesterly at 20 miles per hour overnight then westerly at 15 to 20 during the day Monday.Forecasted new, light density snow will again be easily transported to lee slopes at mid and upper elevations. Backcountry users will find easily triggered, soft surface slabs one to two feet in depth on steep, lee slopes. As snowfall increases, the depth, size and sensitivity of slides will increase creating dangerous conditions. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate, increasing through the day.In the Southwest Trails/Greys River and Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass areas the possibility remains for backcountry travelers to trigger deep slabs to the ground at upper elevatons due to a persistent weak layer.
