In the mountains, persistent slabs continue to pose a serious threat to backcountry travelers. The consequences of triggering one of these slabs is likely to be severe. This hazard is best managed by making conservative terrain choices. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
Hard slabs that lie upon a persistent weak layer of faceted snow near the base of the snowpack could be triggered by snowmobilers or group or by the weight of a single person. These avalanches could occur on a variety of aspects with depths up to four feet. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another push of moisture is to bring snowfall Wednesday evening and periods of light snow are to continue through Thursday. One to three inches is expected overnight with another one to two possible during the day. Temperatures will be cooler with summit highs in the upper teens and south-southwest winds will continue to be light. The general avalanche hazard is to be Moderate above 7500 and Low below that elevations. New snow is falling with slow accumulation rates and light winds. New surface slab hazard is not expected, however, every bit of new snow adds further loads to the old buried weakness and increases the chance for human triggered avalanches involving these layers. If triggered these dangerous hard slabs could have depths to five feet in the Tetons and depths to four feet in the Southwest trails and Togwotee Pass areas.
