The chance for skiers and snowmobilers to easily trigger slab avalanches continues. Yesterday a 26-year-old snowmobiler from Iowa died when an avalanche carried him into a tree that was reported to have occurred 1.5 miles east of Togwotee Mountain Lodge. Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of those involved in this tragic event. Similar or much larger events could occur today in a snowpack wrought with weaknesses and poor structure. This scenario demands respect and a conservative approach to travel and terrain choices.
Dense wind slabs formed by westerly winds with depths of one to three feet could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs could step down to deeper layers of weak faceted snow in areas with poor snowpack structure.
Buried layers of weak snow persist at all elevations. Slabs that lie upon these weak layers could be triggered by backcountry riders and skiers today. These slabs could have depths of four to eight feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snow showers will continue and become steadier and heavier later in the evening. The steadiest snowfall is expected late tonight and into tomorrow morning before tapering off in the afternoon. At the higher elevations accumulations of up to three inches are possible overnight and another three to six inches likely during the day. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Winds will strong at 25 to 40 with gust to 60 miles per hour. Areas of blowing snow are likely along the higher ridge crests.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE in the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide, Greys River/Southwest Trails areas and the upper elevations of the Teton Area. Soft surface slabs one the three feet in depth could be triggered by humans on steep slopes and could step down to persistent weak layers buried deep within the snowpack.
