At the mid and upper elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger newly and recently developed wind slabs. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger persistent slabs, which carry much higher consequences. These dangerous slabs could also fail by stepping down from the release of a wind slab. At the lower elevations, the threat of avalanches is limited to isolated pockets slab one to two feet in depth.
Yesterday, a fast moving disturbance brought strong westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds and six to eight inches of new snow to the Tetons. This weather system formed new winds slabs up to a foot deep. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs, along with older wind slabs up to three feet deep, in steep wind-loaded starting zones.
Persistent slabs, which lie upon layers of faceted snow, still warrant concern. While the likelihood of triggering these slides is decreasing, the consequences remain high with slab depths of three to five feet.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory tonight through 5 AM on Friday. Strong westerly ridgetop will range from 30 to 40 miles per hour, and overnight storm totals of four to eight inches are expected in the mountains. On Friday, mountain temperatures will warm into the teens as the valley climbs into the mid to upper 20s.The general avalanche hazard in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE on Friday and could increase to CONSIDERABLE in the Tetons as strong winds and new snow combine to create new wind slabs. Backcountry travelers could easily trigger these slides, along with existing wind slabs, to depths of one to three feet in steep avalanche terrain. Failures deep within the snowpack remain a concern, particularly in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River areas.
