Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist and backcountry skiers or riders could easily trigger large avalanches. A strong winter storm earlier this week deposited four feet of snow and over six inches of moisture in the mountains. This snowfall and strong winds have formed wind slabs at all elevations. These slabs could be easily triggered and a potential for deep slab avalanches also continues. Do not allow sunny skies to affect behavior. Conservative decision making is essential today.
Strong southwest to west winds during recent heavy snowfall have formed dense surface slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs lie upon faceted snow during last weeks cold period. These slabs will be most sensitive at the higher elevations where slab depths could reach four to five feet at higher elevations and three feet at lower elevations.
A chance continues for larger triggers such as snow machines to initiate very large and destructive deep slab avalanches that could involve the full depth of the snowpack. If initiated, these large events could run long distances.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure and inversion conditions will continue on Saturday. Morning temperatures will be just below zero on the summits with valley temperatures closer to twenty below. Morning fog is expected to develop and lift by noon. The general avalanche hazard will be rated as Considerable at higher elevations in the Togwotee Pass and Teton areas and Moderate at lower elevations. All elevations in the Southwest trails area will be Considerable. Recently developed surface slabs can be human triggered at all elevations and on a variety of aspects. These slabs will have greatest slab depths at higher elevations and in the southern part of the region where depths could reach five feet. In the Tetons, slabs of one to three feet are expected. Deep hard slabs continue to have some potential to fail to large triggers, particularly in the Togwotee Pass area.
