The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. New snow is accumulating on slick old snow surfaces. Shallow loose snow sluffs and pockets of soft surface slab could be human triggered on steep slopes. These sluffs and shallow slabs could knock people over and entrain snow on steep sustained pitches. These hazards can be easily managed by making smart terrain choices. Avoid extreme terrain, cliff areas and steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind blown snow.
At the upper elevations small pockets of wind slab up to 18 inches in depth could be triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche prone terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A cold front will sweep through our forecast region from the north to south. Periods of light to moderate snowfall are likely overnight and into the day on Tuesday. This front is fast moving. Clearing skies are expected by late afternoon. Snowfall accumulations of one to three inches are forecast for the valleys. Three to six inches are possible in the mountains with locally higher amounts possible. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens. Winds will be gusty during the frontal passage and veer from the west to the northeast.Loose snow sluffs and shallow pockets of new wind slab are likely to be easily triggered on steep slopes with hard old snow surfaces. Slab depths of six to 12 inches are possible. These sluffs and slabs could knock people over in very steep terrain and will entrain snow on long sustained, steep pitches. Smart terrain choices will make these hazards easy to manage. Monitor conditions and adjust your plans if you experience periods of intense snowfall and strong winds. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be higher than it has been but remain LOW in the Teton and Greys River/Southwest Trails areas. The hazard at the upper elevations in the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide area remains MODERATE due to the remote possibility of triggering a deep hard slab on a buried layer of faceted snow.
