Conditions are still dangerous. An avalanche warning has been continued until 6 AM on Friday morning. Large wind slab avalanches involving the recent storm snow and very large persistent slab avalanches could release naturally or be human triggered on a variety of aspects. These slides could run full path. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations. Roof slides are possible. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Large wind slabs formed by southwest winds exist in steep avalanche starting zones. These slabs could be triggered by humans on steep slopes. Natural releases are possible. These slabs could be 2 to 4 feet deep at the mid and upper elevations. They could be 1 to 2 feet deep and wet at the lower elevations.
Two to three inches of snow water equivalent have been added to a snowpack with persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Very large, deep slab avalanches could release naturally or be triggered by humans on these problem layers. These avalanches could run long distances and be destructive. They could be 4 to 6 feet deep at the higher elevations and up to three feet deep and wet at the lower elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly cloudy tonight with scattered light snow showers. Snow will return on Thursday. Expected amounts are 6 to 10 inches in the Tetons, 4 to 8 inches in the Greys River area, and 3 to 5 inches in the valleys. Temperatures will be in the 20s in the mountains and rise into the 30s in the valleys. Winds will be from the southwest at 15 to 25 with gusts to 45 miles per hour. An avalanche warning is in effect until 6 AM on Thursday morning. This avalanche warning will be re-evaluated at 5 AM. Conditions remain very dangerous. Our snowpack has been subjected to a huge multi-day loading event and is struggling to adjust. At the mid and upper elevations dynamic processes are actively occurring in the snowpack (creep and settlement) and are being exasperated by warm temperatures and more snow. All of this is taking place in a snowpack with deeply buried persistent weak layers. Wet slides are a concern at the lower elevations. These conditions present uncertainties with respect to the stability of the snowpack at all elevations. Although the likelihood for large to very large avalanches to release naturally or be triggered by humans may be less that it has been, the consequences of being involved in a large destructive avalanche are severe. For these reasons the general avalanche hazard is expected to be high and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
