Significant snowfall in localized areas earlier in the week was accompanied by strong winds that varied greatly in direction. These varying winds created soft slabs on a variety of aspects above 8000 feet. Loose snow sloughs are also possible today in higher elevation terrain. Identify surface conditions and terrain carefully in order to avoid these avalanche concerns. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet. Careful snowpack evaluation is recommended in these areas. Normal caution is advised below 8000 feet where avalanche activity is unlikely except for in isolated pockets in very steep terrain.
Pockets of recently formed soft slabs could be human triggered on a variety of aspects today. In areas favored by this weeks storm, slab depths could reach two feet.
Deep hard slabs continue to have potential to be human triggered above an elevation of 9,000 feet in steep north facing avalanche paths. If triggered these dangerous slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These deep slabs are more likely to fail under larger triggers such as snowmobiles, large cornice drops and groups of people.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A clearing trend is to occur through Thursday. Morning valley fog is possible in the Jackson Hole and Star valleys. Temperatures will remain on the cold side with highs in the single digits expected at higher elevations. West to Northwest winds are to have averages between ten and fifteen miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate in all forecast areas above 8000 feet and Low below that elevation. Wind slabs can still be triggered on a variety of aspects with depths up to two feet. Weak snow layers lie at the base of the snowpack on northerly aspects above 9000 feet. This weak layer is not considered a current threat in Tetons, however the possibility of full depth avalanches warrants consideration in the Southwest Trails area where its chance of occurrence is limited to isolated areas and in the Togwotee pass where such activity is more likely given the shallower snowpack.
