The mostly stable snowpack is comprised primarily of faceted snow with several inches of recently fallen snow on the surface. Backcountry riders and skiers could trigger isolated pockets of shallow soft slab in steep wind loaded terrain today.
In high avalanche starting zones where wind loading of the new snow has occurred, shallow soft slabs could be triggered. Once set in motion, these small slabs could also entrain the upper portion of the weak snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Saturday is expected to be cold with mountain highs near zero degrees and valley highs near ten degrees. Limited moisture in the northwest flow will provide for periods of light snow and flurries. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in all areas with the exception of the high elevations of the Tetons where the hazard is to be Moderate. In high elevation avalanche starting zones and near cliff edges small pockets of soft surface slabs with depths to one foot could be triggered. Isolated pockets of shallow slab could be triggered in very steep terrain in other elevations and areas.
