Riders and skiers could trigger wind slabs in steep avalanche terrain and also have the potential to trigger large, dangerous hard slabs. The likelihood to trigger either of these events will greatly increase as sunlight and warming weaken these slabs. At all elevations, small wet slides will be possible this afternoon.
Dangerous hard slab avalanches with depths of four to eight feet could be human triggered in areas where weak faceted snow persists deep in the snowpack. Predicting the failure of these slabs is extremely difficult as entire slopes may fail even after they have been tracked several times.
Dense winds slabs up to two feet in depth could be human triggered on steep wind loaded slopes. These surface slabs could step down and trigger deep hard slabs. The likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase today.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will move in and dominate the region for the next several days. Clear skies and light northwest winds are expected on Wednesday. Mountain temperatures are to rise from morning lows near ten degrees to highs near thirty. Similar lows with highs in the forties are expected in the valleys. In the Tetons, the general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in the morning and could rise to Considerable as warming and sunlight cause recently formed slabs and older slabs to weaken and become more susceptible to human triggers. Some potential remains for slabs to reach as much as eight feet in depth. In the Togwotee pass area and Southwest Trails areas the hazard will be Considerable where the chance to trigger deep persistent layers is greater. The hazard will increase in the afternoon in these areas as well.
