Tetons

During the past 48 hours 15 inches of new snow with 0.75 inches of moisture have fallen in the Tetons. Strong southwest winds have formed new soft slabs up to two feet in depth which lie upon a weak layer of light density snow that fell last Thursday and Friday. These new slabs load an unstable snowpack and have the potential to step down to a weak layer of faceted snow formed in early November. Increasing ridgetop winds and intense snowfall this afternoon will increase the hazard. Slabs up to three feet in depth are likely to release naturally or be human triggered. Avalanches are unlikely to originate in lower elevation starting zones however some potential exists for large avalanches to enter the lower elevations from above in the Teton range. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. WYDOT is scheduled to conduct avalanche hazard reduction efforts on Teton Pass at 3 AM tonight.