Yesterday a skier triggered a soft slab avalanche at an elevation of 10,500 feet on Two Ocean Mountain. Similar events are possible today at the higher elevations (above an elevation of 9,000 feet). Avalanches are unlikely below that elevation. Even small slides can be dangerous in steep chutes and cliff areas. Practice social distancing directives and be extra careful given our current health care situation.
At the higher elevations skiers and riders could trigger pockets of wind slab formed by southwest to westerly winds. These slabs could be 6 to 18 inches deep and large enough to injure or bury a person. These slabs may become more sensitive to human triggers during the warmest portion of the day.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A low-pressure trough along the west coast will sweep east through the region. Snow chances will be on the decrease and continue to favor the southern portion of our forecast area. Skies will be mostly to partly cloudy. Snow showers will be lighter. Temperatures will be in the teens tonight and rise into the upper 20's and 30's on Thursday. Westerly winds will become light and variable. Recent snow fall and winds have increased the hazard at the higher elevations of the Greys River area to moderate. Up there (above an elevation of 9,000 feet) soft slab avalanches up to 18 inches in depth could be human triggered on steep slopes. At the upper elevations of the Teton Range (9,000 to 10,500 feet) where the hazard has also been rated as moderate small slab avalanche 6 to 18 inches in depth could be human triggered on steep terrain features. Similar slabs can be human triggered in isolated pockets at the higher elevations of the Togwotee Pass area where the hazard is low. Periods of sunshine which are likely, especially in the afternoon, will cause sloughs that involve the recent new snow. The hazard is low below an elevation of 9,000 feet in the Teton and Greys River area. Please be careful and practice social distancing protocols, especially at trail heads.
