Tetons

At upper elevations strong southwesterly winds pushed 5 to 7 inches of new snow into easily triggered surface slabs to a foot in depth on lee slopes. The new snow rests on smooth sun crusts and slides could quickly build to dangerous depths. At mid elevations pockets of loose, drifted snow or surface slabs could be released by backcountry travelers in steep areas near ridge crests. At low elevations the snowpack is mostly stable and avalanches are unlikely.

Skies will begin to clear overnight and are expected to be partly cloudy on Saturday as a high pressure ridge builds over the region. Mountain temperatures will drop to about 10 degrees overnight and rise to near 30 degrees in the afternoon. Breezy northwest winds are likely for a short time this evening. Tomorrows winds will be light and variable.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet). Pockets of soft surface slab up to 18 inches in depth exist and could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones. These surface slabs could sweep humans over cliffs, carry them down steep slopes or bury them in terrain traps. Thier sensitivity to human triggers will increase as the day warms. Natural releases are possible on very steep sunlit slopes. Below an elevation of 9,000 feet the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the morning and increase to MODERATE in the afternoon. Some potential persist for full depth wet slides to occur on steep slopes.