Tetons

At mid and upper elevations recent snow and constant, strong west-northwest winds have formed firm surface slabs up to 18 inches in depth on leeward aspects that could be human triggered. Instabilities persist associated with deeply buried layers of faceted snow and November rain crusts. The potential remains for people to trigger dangerous hard slabs up to six feet in depth. Deep slabs released naturally in the past few days on north and southeast aspects under steep, cliff areas above 9,500 feet. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully and use good travel habits. At lower elevations the snow is mostly stable.

High pressure will build over the mountains of western Wyoming into Thursday. Mostly clear skies are forecasted and the northwest winds should slow to 15 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures will rise into the upper twenties. The General Avalanche Hazard will be MODERATE in the Tetons Wednesday. Soft slabs to two feet in depth could be human triggered in isolated areas on steep, avalanche prone lee slopes with good wind deposition. Deep slab instabilities lurk in the depths of the snowpack but are likely to require larger triggers like multiple people on a slope. Unseasonable warm temperatures will make triggering slides easier. Ski in the trees. The General Avalanche Hazard in the Greys River/Southwest trails area and the Continental Divide/Togwotee Pass area will be CONSIDERABLE. Weak, faceted snow at the base of the snowpack has been the cause of several dangerous hard slab avalanches in the Angle Mountain area that have been triggered remotely by skiers and snowboarders. Other steep areas in that region and the east side of the Wyoming Range have similar conditions and the new snow will make triggering deep slides by riders likely. Surface slabs to eighteen inches in depth similar to those in the Tetons could also be triggered in the mountains of the Greys River area.