Deep slab avalanches that could be triggered by humans, especially by those on snowmachines persist. These dangerous slabs remain a threat in areas that have a poor snowpack structure that consists of deeply buried layers of faceted snow. Shallow pockets of wind slab could also be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas with fresh deposits of wind blown snow.
Dangerous hard slabs up to six feet in depth could be triggered on steep slopes where layers of weak faceted snow persist deep within snowpack. These dangerous slabs could be triggered on slopes that have been crossed multiple times by other riders or skiers. Failure of these dangerous slabs is very hard to predict and caution is advised.
Pockets of surface slab one to two feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas that have been loaded by recent winds. These slabs have the potential to step down and trigger dangerous persistent deep slabs in areas with poor snowpack structure.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A fast moving storm system will past through the area overnight. Less than four inches of new snow is expected by morning. The exception may be the west slope of the Teton Range which could get up to six inches. Colder air on the backside of this system will move across the region by morning. Strong northwest winds will accompany the snowfall and persist after this system has moved east.Lingering mountain snow showers are likely in the morning. Skies will be partly sunny during the day. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and in the 20s and 30s in the mountains. Winds will be northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts and will be slowly decreasing during the day.Deep slab avalanches with depths of six to eight feet remain a concern in the Togwotee Pass/Continetal Divide and the Greys River/Southwest Trails areas. These dangerous slabs persist in areas where snowpack structure is poor. These slabs could be human triggered, especially by larger loads such as snowmobiles. Surface slabs up to two feet in depth that were formed during the most recent storm episodes could also be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE to MODERATE in areas where deeply buried weak layers of faceted snow persist and MODERATE to LOW in areas were deep slab avalanches are unlikely.
