Tetons

At the upper elevations strong northwest winds will be moving available snow onto leeward aspects. Normal caution is advised as even small avalanches can cause injury. Slopes at the Grand Targhee Resort are closed to the public as they are being prepared for a Friday opening. Ten percent of sales at both Pearl Street Bagel locations will be donated to the avalanche center today. Tell your friends.

The next weather system will begin to impact the region overnight. Light snow is expected to develop and increase in intensity ahead of an associated cold front. Accumulations of five to ten inches are possible at the higher elevations before skies begin to clear later in the day. Increasing westerly winds will accompany the snowfall. Gusts as high as 60 miles per hour are expected to cause significant drifting and reduce visibility. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. The new snow is anticipated to favor the western portions of our forecast region including the Teton, Snake River and Salt River Ranges. The combination of new snow and strong winds are expected to create new soft slabs and could increase the hazard to MODERATE at the higher elevations in those areas. Areas that receive lesser amounts of snow will experience an increasing but generally lower hazard. The new snow is not initially expected to bond well to old snow surfaces. Human triggered avalanches involving the new snow with crowns from 6 to 18 inches deep are possible in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. Monitor conditions and avoid steep terrain where rapid loading of new snow is occurring or has recently occurred.