Over the past few days, the Southwest Trails area has received 6 to 14 inches of light density snow, with the southern portion of the forecast zone being highly favored. Overnight, ridgetop winds picked up to 20 to 35 miles per hour with gusts to 47. The combination of new snow, snow available for transport and strong winds has created pockets of wind slab above 7,500 feet. These slabs, along with loose snow sluffs, could be human triggered in these areas. On northerly aspects above 9,000 feet, a slight chance remains to trigger full depth, hard slab avalanches failing on weak snow near the base of the snowpack. The snowpack is mostly stable below 7,500 feet.
Strong westerly ridgetop winds overnight have created wind slabs in leeward terrain above 7,500 feet. These slabs have formed above hard sliding surfaces and weak, faceted snow. Skiers and riders venturing into steep, wind-loaded terrain could trigger these slides to depths of 6 to 12 inches and up to two feet in localized areas that saw higher snowfall amounts.
Weak snow persists near the base of the snowpack on northwesterly through northeasterly aspects above 9,000 feet. Backcountry uses might still be able to trigger full depth avalanches on this layer in steep, avalanche prone terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or groups of people, are more likely to be able to impact this weak layer.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of light snowfall will continue overnight before a brief lull takes place. By late afternoon, a more significant Pacific weather system will begin to impact the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the upper teens during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard could increase to Moderate in the Tetons depending on the amount of new snow and the strength of the winds. New soft slabs, along with loose snow sluffs, could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep, avalanche prone terrain above 9,000 feet. These slabs are building just above well-developed sliding surfaces and weak, faceted snow.In the Greys River and Togwotee Pass forecast zones, the lingering chance of triggering deep persistent slab avalanches failing on weak snow near the base of the snowpack will keep the hazard at Moderate. New soft slabs and loose snow sluffs, similar to those in the Tetons, could also be triggered by skiers and riders. This avalanche activity will be more likely to occur down south where snowfall amounts are expected to be greater.
