Strong ridgetop winds increased overnight and continued to build wind slabs. Yesterday, three pockets of wind slab released in Hoback Canyon and affected travel routes. A snowmobiler also triggered a small pocket of wind slab on an easterly aspect around 8,300 feet on the east side of the Wyoming Range. On a variety of aspects and elevations, skiers and riders could trigger similar slides in steep, wind-loaded terrain. As the day warms, the likelihood of triggering these slides will increase on sunlit aspects. Monitor the effect of the sun on the snowpack and avoid recently wind-loaded slopes. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet.
Strong northerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds, with hourly averages up to 40 miles per hour and gusts to 56, have scoured windward terrain and created dense wind slabs on leeward slopes. Backcountry travelers could trigger these stiff slabs with depths ranging from 6 to 24 inches on a variety of aspects.
A slight chance continues for skiers and riders to trigger persistent deep slab avalanches on northwesterly through northeasterly aspects above 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, large cornice drops and groups of people are more likely to be able to impact the weak, faceted snow near the base of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The ridge of high pressure over the region will slowly move east and begin to flatten. Skies will be mostly clear to partly cloudy above patchy morning valley fog. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the mid 20s during the day. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 8,000 feet on Sunday. There, backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind-loaded terrain could trigger wind slabs to depths of 6 to 24 inches with the Togwotee Pass area on the shallower end of the spectrum. Sluffing of the recent snowfall will also be possible on very steep slopes not affected by the wind, and daytime warming will increase their likelihood on sunlit aspects. The chance remains for skiers and riders to trigger full depth avalanches on northerly aspects above 9,000 feet in the Togwotee Pass forecast zone. While these persistent deep slab avalanches are unlikely in the Greys River area, they still warrant mention due to their severe consequences.
