Yesterdays snowfall was accompanied by very strong winds. This has resulted in wind slabs in terrain above 7500 feet. These slabs will be sensitive and could be triggered by skiers or riders in steep leeward avalanche starting zones where the snow has accumulated. Below 7500 feet, avalanches are unlikely today except for isolated pockets of shallow wind slabs in very steep terrain. Conservative decision making is essential today,
Very strong southwest to west winds have formed new dense slabs. These slabs could have depths to two feet at the higher elevations and depths to one foot at the mid elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow and strong winds are to continue through the night although snowfall intensity is to decrease. On Friday lingering snow showers could bring minimal accumulations during the day. Temperatures are to rise into the mid to upper twenties. Winds during the day are to be westerly to southwesterly with 15-30 mph averages. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate at the mid and high elevations and Low at the low elevations. The hazard could elevate to Considerable above 9000 feet if significant snowfall occurs overnight. In all forecast areas, new wind slabs with depths to a foot at mid and upper elevation starting zones could be triggered. At low elevations isolated pockets of shallow surface slabs could triggered in steep terrain. In the Togwotee Pass area, deeper slabs could be triggered on old weaknesses to depths of three feet in terrain above 9000 feet.
