The avalanche danger is Low in the majority of terrain today. The danger will rise to Moderate above 9,000 feet in steep terrain later in the day. There it will be possible to trigger wind slabs that form during the day today. Expect these slabs to be less than a foot in depth and pose more of a threat when triggered above terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies and trees. Pay attention to changing conditions and adjust your terrain choices if encountering obvious signs of unstable snow such as shooting cracks and whoompfing.
New snow overnight ranging from 4-5" combined with strong winds and an additional 1-3" today will help to form slabs in the upper elevations. Triggering these slabs will be most likely in very steep wind loaded terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow showers will develop tonight and carry over into tomorrow. Westerly winds will average in the twenties and temperatures will drop into the teens near 9,000 feet. As this storm moves in, the Tetons and Togwotee Pass will see snowfall first, with 3”-6” expected by mid-morning and up to 8” by evening. The northern Grey’s River area could receive 3” by morning and up to 6” by evening. Light snow showers will continue through the day and taper off into the evening.With new snow slated to fall overnight and strong westerly winds, expect wind slabs to form on leeward aspects. Tomorrow it will be possible to trigger a wind slab up to a foot thick in steep wind loaded terrain. Smooth, loaded pillows and hard, hollow sounding snow are signs wind loading is occurring. Instabilities will be isolated to the new snow given the already generally strong snowpack.Tomorrow the avalanche danger may increase to Moderate in the afternoon above 8,000 feet. Below 8,000 feet, avalanches will be unlikely, and the danger will be Low.
