The avalanche hazard will quickly rise from Low this morning to Moderate this afternoon as sunlight and warm temperatures will weaken the surface of the snowpack. This will increase the possibility of triggering existing winds slabs and older persistent slabs at higher elevations as well as provide the chance for wet loose or shallow wet slab avalanches in steep terrain at all elevations.
At the upper elevations, pockets of wind slab up to eighteen inches in depth could be triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche stating zones, cliff areas and extreme terrain. These slabs were formed by southwest to northwest winds. Yesterday, such a slab was triggered on Beaver Mountain in the Hoback Canyon.
Above 8500 feet, layers of weak snow including surface hoar persist in the snowpack. Some potential remains, especially for larger triggers like snowmobiles to trigger deep hard slabs with crowns to 40 inches in depth in isolated areas. Areas where these weaknesses may be found are steep avalanche paths that have not seen much traffic throughout the season, particularly those with northerly aspects.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Another day of high pressure with sunny skies and a few high clouds is in store for Saturday. Temperatures should continue on their warming trend with mountain temperatures to reach into the mid to upper thirties while summits reach the low thirties.In the Southwest trails and Teton forecast areas the general avalanche hazard will be Low in the morning and increase to Moderate in the afternoon. Existing surface slabs formed by wind earlier in the week could have depths to one foot and become more sensitive as the day warms. The possibility for wet slides will also develop in the afternoon as heat penetrates more deeply into the snowpack. Similar conditions exist in the Togwotee pass area, however deeper weaknesses in the snowpack warrant the hazard to be Moderate throughout the day as a remote chance persists for large triggers to initiate large avalanches in isolated areas of north facing terrain.
