Tetons

In steep terrain at the high elevations, dangerous soft slabs that were formed by heavy snow and wind lie upon lighter snow and crusts. Yesterday a skier triggered one of these slabs in Drew's Slide to the south of the Jackson Hole ski area. He deployed an avalanche airbag and was lucky to escape injury. Similar events could happen today. At the mid elevations similar slab hazard exists although slab depths are significantly smaller. The likelihood of triggering slab avalanches will increase with daily warming, especially if slopes are affected by periods of direct sunlight. Increasing temperatures and potential sunshine will also create for the possibility of wet avalanche activity to occur. Wet slides will be most likely at mid elevations as the new surface snow weakens and could possibly occur at low elevations after the hard snow surfaces soften.

A trough with colder air and limited moisture will allow for the chance for periods of snow through Sunday although accumulations should be light. Mountain temperatures are to drop to the low teens overnight and rise to the low twenties during the day. Valleys are to rise from the upper teens to mid-thirties. Higher temperatures are possible if skies become sunnier than expected. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 8000 feet. Skiers or riders could trigger slabs with depths of one to two feet between 8000 and 9000 feet and depths to three feet at higher elevations. This hazard will increase during the day in isolated areas where direct sunlight rapidly warms the surface of the snowpack. Below 8000 feet avalanche activity is unlikely, except for the possibility of small wet slides in the afternoon.