At the upper elevations isolated pockets of hard slab exist. These shallow slabs are relatively small but pose a hazard to humans who venture into cliff areas, onto hanging snowfields, into very steep couloirs or other extreme terrain features. On Thursday a snowboarder descending a very steep couloir on Lava Mountain east of Togwotee Pass triggered a shallow hard slab and was carried over a cliff. This person was injured but not buried. Similar events are possible in the Teton Range today. Mostly stable snow exist and avalanches are unlikely in less radical terrain and at the mid and lower elevations.
At the upper elevations isolated pockets of hard wind slab six to 18 inches in depth could be triggered by humans in steep avalanche prone terrain. Once triggered small, hard slabs could quickly accelerate and carry humans over cliffs or significant distances in very steep terrain. The potential for humans to trigger these slabs will increase as the day warms.
Expect mostly clear skies on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid 20s during the day. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW on Sunday. At the upper elevations, isolated pockets of shallow hard slab could be triggered by backcountry travelers on very steep, avalanche prone slopes. While small, these slides have the potential to carry skiers or riders over cliff bands or into terrain traps.
