Above 8,000 feet, it is possible for skiers and riders to trigger small to large persistent slab avalanches on steep avalanche-prone terrain. The snowpack on Togwotee Pass is thin, and where a slab lies over the weak snow, dangerous avalanche conditions could be encountered. Along with persistent slab avalanches, backcountry travelers may also find small wind slab avalanches along high ridges and wind loaded terrain features. Cautious route finding is essential to travel through the mountains today, and backcountry travelers should monitor the new snow as it increases the load on existing weak layers. Below 8,000 feet, avalanches are unlikely except in steep, isolated terrain features.
Skiers and riders could trigger persistent slab avalanches, which lie over weak unconsolidated snow, up to three feet in depth. Since these problem layers are a few feet below the snow’s surface, slopes could present as stable, and tracks should not be trusted as signs of stability. These layers take a long time to heal and will likely result in avalanche activity once a load is added.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )As pacific moisture moves into the region, light snowfall will develop overnight and continue into tomorrow. The snowfall is expected to favor the Tetons with three to six inches of accumulation and only one to three inches across the rest of the forecast area. Mountain temperatures will start in the single digits and then rise into the teens. Southwesterly winds will be light and veer to the west and then north by the evening. Above 7,500 feet in the Grey’s River/Southwest Trails and Teton forecast areas, dangerous large to very large slab avalanches could be triggered by skiers and riders, and the avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable. These slabs could be three to four feet in depth and lie over a variety of weak faceted snow. At Togwotee Pass, where there has been less snow this season, it is possible for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches one to two feet in depth on steep, avalanche-prone terrain. Since these problem layers lie deep in the snowpack, slopes could present as stable, and tracks should not be trusted as signs of stability. Along high ridgelines and wind loaded terrain features, backcountry travelers could encounter small wind slabs that have recently been formed. Cautious route finding is essential to travel through the mountains and monitor the new snow as it increases the load on existing weak layers. Below 7,500 feet, where avalanches are unlikely except for on isolated terrain features, the avalanche hazard is Low.
